Contrary to popular belief, developers do have permission to continue work on the controversial large steel structures at the Sirenusa luxury-condominium site above Cruz Bay.
In March, Sirenusa developers were issued a cease and desist order for the two buildings, located on the lower portion of the almost five-acre site, when Department of Planning and Natural Resources officials learned that plans submitted for the original group dwelling permit were different than plans submitted to the building inspectors.
The developers altered their plans for the site, condensing the number of buildings, and expected project architect William Karr to submit modification requests, according to Sirenusa owner/ developer Carlo Marzano.
No Modification Request Submitted
While Karr contended that he did, in fact, submit the requests, DPNR officials disagreed, prompting the cease and desist order.
Since March, however, a number of residents, including neighboring land owners, have been complaining that developers were working on the two buildings despite the cease and desist order.
“Sirenusa developers have permission to continue work on the first two levels in the buildings in question,” said DPNR spokesperson Jamal Nielsen. “They are waiting to hear the decision of the re-zoning request, but as of now, they can work on the first two levels only. Anything else depends on the outcome of the re-zoning.”
Other Work Depends On Zone Change
On December 12, Marzano requested a zone change from R-2, residential low-density, to R-3, residential medium-density, before DPNR officials from the division of Comprehensive and Coastal Zone Planning to construct up to seven additional units.
Unless the 26th Legislature orders a special request for CCZP’s recommendation and votes on the measure, the request will be decided next month by the 27th Legislature.
While it remains unclear whether Sirenusa developers ever recieved approval from DPNR for modifaction of their group dwelling permit, the work being done on the steel structures is legal, according to DPNR.