Roscoe community marina to be revisited

In rare decision, board votes 5-0 to reconsider proposal

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The proposed Roscoe marina was brought to the board’s attention again at a Sept. 17 public hearing, even though the community marina zoning variance was overturned in August. Proponents of the marina suggested revisiting the issue, even though the issue did not appear on the agenda. In an unusual turn of events, the board voted in favor to readdress the project, 5-0.

The marina’s developer, Paul Rohan, alleged both misrepresentation of facts and extortion from the opposition during public comment.

“The four appellants that filed for an appeal (did so in) a plan to extort money and leverage their position into getting whatever they wanted,” Rohan said.

Rohan indicated he had both email and voicemail evidence, which he submitted to the board. Additionally, the developer said the canal’s hazards were fabricated, citing evidence that there were no police reports pertaining to a life-threatening watercraft incident that opponents of the marina specified at the previous meeting.

“We pulled the police reports, and nobody was crippled.” Rohan said. “Nobody was sent by helicopter with a broken neck. Shame on these people for coming up here and lying to you.”

The proposed marina site is east of the Intracoastal Waterway and south of the Palm Valley Bridge, near the boat ramp. The project included 75 slips of unenclosed dry berthing storage, which was suggested to create less of an environmental impact. Also incorporated were 12 wet slips to line the Intracoastal Waterway, although not intended for overnight use.

District 5 Commissioner Henry Dean suggested that although revisiting the zoning variance was unusual, he was compelled to do so.

“This is a rare action I think, to revote and reconsider an item,” Dean said. “But based on that there are so many facts in dispute that were presented to us and I made a decision based in a large part on a number of those facts. Be them right or wrong, I would like to take the time and interest to hear again. It’s a bit rare, but in our effort to seek the truth I am willing to sit here and spend a whole day if that’s what it takes to hear both sides so we can make an informed, intelligent decision.”