by Jackie Nunnery
HEATHSVILLE—Despite previous objections from Mill Creek residents, Northumberland supervisors on Thursday, July 11, approved, 5-0, a request from Robert Jacey to construct a commercial pier on Mill Creek as part of Jacey Vineyards.
Prior to the meeting, Jacey offered to reduce the size of the pier. The width went from 8 feet to 6 feet; the length from 90 feet at the Mean High Water (MHW) mark to 80 feet MHW; and the “L” went from 456 square feet to 360 square feet. Three free-standing mooring pilings, down from five, are also proposed 20 feet from the “L” of the deck.
Jacey also proffered the pier would be operated from 7 a.m. to dusk and would serve no other commercial purposes other than for the temporary use of customers coming to the vineyard. Should the vineyard cease to exist, he stipulated the pier would revert to a residential pier. One unlighted business sign, not to exceed nine square feet would be installed on the pier.
During the board deliberations, members of the audience continued to object to the project, citing Jacey’s recent timbering of an adjacent parcel as an example of further commercialization of the property. Supervisor Chip Williams responded, “I don’t know what that has to do with this application. Who are we to tell anyone that they can’t cut timber on their own land if they’re doing it within the law?”
Board chairman Richard Haynie said he received “numerous letters in favor and opposing….
