Developer and DPNR Still Negotiating Conditions for Bordeaux Mtn. Villas

While Department of Planning and Natural Resources officials gave an initial green light to a proposed Bordeaux Mountain condominium development, almost four months later the department has still not issued the group dwelling permit.

Property owners Scott Hmphrey and Eric Munson, represented by project architect Michael Milne of Barefoot Architect Inc., requested a group dwelling permit to construct 16 four-bedroom units in four clusters of four attached buildings, a gym and pool on 5.623 acres on Bordeaux Mountain overlooking Coral Bay.

The proposed development is located within Tier 2 and not subject to the approval of the St. John Coastal Zone Management Committee.

Despite an upswell of opposition against the Bodeaux Mountain Estates development from Bordeaux neighbors, DPNR officials confirmed in early October 2007, that the department’s Division of Comprehensive and Coastal Zone Planning director Wanda Mills-Bocachica would approve the required permit.

“Planning is going to approve the group dwelling permit,” DPNR spokesperson Jamal Nielsen told the St. John Tradewinds in October. “They haven’t issued the permit yet, but they did send an approval letter to the developer’s representative.”

Now almost four months later, CCZP officials and the developers remain locked in negotiations regarding special conditions which will be attached to the permit.

“We are still in negotiations with the applicant on the language of the special conditions,” said Nielsen. “We haven’t reached an agreement yet on the special conditions so we haven’t issued the permit yet.”

Until the special conditions are hammered out, the Bordeaux Mountain Villas plans are at a standstill because the permit will be approved only with the special conditions.

“The permit was approved with special conditions and the special conditions are still under negotiation,” said Nielsen.