State officials have found “significant” issues with a plan to install a 59-slip private marina behind the American Tourister mill property currently being redeveloped into apartments and commercial spaces by Tourister Mill LLC.

In March, developers submitted a request for preliminary determination to CRMC, in which they spelled out their plan for the marina and asked for feedback. A request for preliminary determination is a preliminary step completed before an official application is made.

The plan is to install a 1.4-acre marina starting approximately 500 feet south of the Palmer River Bridge. Apart from the necessity of moving four moorings, engineers wrote that the marina would have little other impact. In return, they wrote, it would enhance the public’s enjoyment of the river and would also make the former industrial area more aesthetically pleasing.

“The sight from the bridges over Route 103/114 will be greatly improved with the presence of vessels docked at the facility and in keeping with similar activities on the opposite shore.”

“The public will not suffer any detriment do (sic) to the construction of the proposed marina,” they wrote. “The development will benefit the public by providing open access to the shoreline, shops and a walking path in close proximity to the East Bay Bike path.”

After visiting the site by boat in May and reviewing regulations, CRMC officials found the following:

* The proposal did not include all the information necessary.

“Once the application is accepted, there is high likelihood that given the significant issues at the site that this proposal will have a longer than normal review time.”

* There was no supporting data to justify the number of slips requested.

“The application needs to show that there is a demand for the proposed size and number of slips in an objective manner.”

* There was no mention as to how the proposal meets the Warren Harbor Management plan.

“The existing moorings, which the applicant states will need to be relocated are considered an existing use and typically given priority over new ones … the CRMC recommends that the applicant meet with the town’s harbormaster on the subject of navigation, current impacts and ice impacts.”

* The proposal does not have provisions for vessel hauling or service.

“The proposed vessels will require winter storage and maintenance facilities which are not currently part of the proposed marina. There is a concern that during events like hurricanes, many vessels need to be hauled in a short period of time. It is typical that marinas haul their customers first, not outside vessels.”

* Evaluation of site conditions does not address the presence of ledge and its impacts on marina piles, the currents present at the site, the potential impacts from ice floes and other factors.

* There is concern that accessing the marina from a public boardwalk already approved by CRMC “will essentially privatize a public walkway.”

“The approved public access plan … shall not be impeded.” Developers “shall be very clear in showing how marina uses (do not) impact or impede the public use of the walkway. This proposal and all new or expanded marinas will require additional public access on the site.”

* All new marinas must have a pumpout boat that is accessible to the general public.

* As for other CRMC standards and requirements, “it is the opinion of staff that several of these standards will be challenging for the applicant to meet. The limited and incomplete nature of the applicant’s preliminary determination does not allow staff to comment on these issues as it is not clear what the proposal actually is for the site.”

The Warren Harbor Commission was briefed last Wednesday evening on Tourister Mill’s request for preliminary determination by Warren Harbormaster Ed Cabral. A formal application has not yet been submitted to the CRMC.