After waiting an hour to reach quorum, the St. Thomas Coastal Zone Management Committee convened a public hearing Wednesday to review two hurricane-related renovation projects — but the thin turnout left the committee unable to vote on either proposal.
The virtual meeting started an hour behind schedule as the committee awaited a two-person quorum to be met to conduct the public hearing. The required number of members was met, but only enough to hold the public hearing and not the three-member minimum required for the decision meeting. Jawanza Hilaire, committee chairman, said the committee will meet next week to address any items that need decisions.
The public hearing began with a presentation by Total Energies Marketing Puerto Rico Corporation for a modification project at their terminal location at Cyril E. King Airport. Attorney George Dudley, representative of Total Energies, spoke on behalf of the company and said they are requesting to renew or replace the expired CZM permit that went into effect in 2005.
“We’re also expanding and upgrading the facility to comply with practices under the new federal EPA,” Dudley said of the company’s upcoming project.
The project includes modification of their jet fuel storage and delivery, the construction of a new loading rack, a firefighting system, and a remodel of the administrative building. Representatives shared plans of site layouts, structural reinforcements against hurricanes, and upgrades to existing tanks and facilities.
Speaking on the fuel, Adrian Perez said, “We bring it in by vessel and we deliver it by truck to all the commercial airlines. We are delivering [to] almost 95 percent of the jets used in St. Thomas.”
He further shared that a bigger building for the firefighting pumphouse and the relocation of the main distribution breakers and sea loading rack will occur.
“Being so close to the sea is not very good from the point of view of the liability or resilience,” said Perez, who spoke on the experience with the 2017 hurricanes.
“There will be no changes to any of the existing facilities or structures that are on the sea floor,” Dudley later added.
Questions from community members and officials addressed issues like fuel tank capacity, spill response, storm surge impacts, and structural safety. The Total Energies project ensures environmental safety with containment systems and spill prevention measures.
Additionally, the public heard about an improvement project to the administrative and office building in Subbase for the Virgin Islands Economic Development Authority including the addition of new parking spaces. The construction plans include demolishing parts of existing damaged structures, reinforcing foundations, raising building elevations, and installing storm-resistant features. The design incorporates a second-story addition over a previously damaged wing, with steel framing to reduce weight and ensure strength.
“This is the second phase of a project that is funded by FEMA through the office of Disaster Recovery,” said John Woods, the project’s architect. “The first phase of it has been completed, which was the restoration of the remaining portion of this complex.”
Woods added that the complex, constructed in the early 1990s, was damaged by hurricanes Irma and Maria. Though FEMA granted a 100 percent replacement value, “the structural evaluation of the existing structure in place show that most of what was in place could remain,” he said. He added that remaining funds will be used to expand the footprint of the facility.
The design includes an expanded parking lot to accommodate 14 new spaces. The second floor will house offices, conference rooms, and amenities like restrooms and kitchens, all with modern HVAC systems designed to handle the increased space. Also, a new roof will be installed as a concrete deck.
Hilaire informed the public that “For the next seven days, the public does have the ability to submit any questions, comments, concerns” on the proposals made.
Committee members Jawanza Hilaire and Calford Martin were present. Kai Smith and Vance Pinney were absent.
