Residents Will Have Chances to Weigh In on Boathouse, Borough Council Says

The Borough Council confirmed that area residents would have a chance to weigh in on the planning process regarding the proposed boathouse near Riverwalk apartments at its meeting on Wednesday.

resident Katie Kauffman, who spoke on behalf of two other residents of the Washington Street apartment complex, raised concerns about noise and view obstruction from the boathouse that could negatively impact residents.

“I think it’s a great idea for the town, and really great for the students, but I have some concerns about the proposed plans,” she said.

Borough solicitor Mike Savona said that the applicant is currently putting the plans for the boathouse together and that their submission would go through “the same process we would normally follow.”

“These plans will go to the planning commission and come before council for review,” he said. “So there will be at least two or three occasions for public comments on the plan.”

Kauffman expressed concerns about the boathouse putting restrictions on the public’s access to the waterfront, as well as no longer allowing pets near the water as a result of the plan.

Savona said that, while “nothing will change about public access,” some of Kauffman’s concerns had not likely been considered yet.

“At the level of planning the boathouse is in right now, it is impossible to get into that level of management,” he said. “They are thinking big picture, not at a micro level.”

The council said that it would keep residents of Riverwalk informed on the project and encouraged the public to come to meetings and express their thoughts on the project.