Final plans for the new U.S. Coast Guard boathouse in Menemsha are ready to go to the state historical commission for review, but they will go without the blessing of the Chilmark selectmen.

At a final public hearing held on Wednesday the Coast Guard design team presented few changes from the last design presented in December, save the window patterns, which now more closely match the original structure. The entrance has also been changed to a more simple design.

Selectman and board chairman Frank Fenner expressed his disappointment.

“This was the most commanding building in our harbor and now it’s going to be even more commanding,” Mr. Fenner said. “It really doesn’t seem like anything has been done since December when we voiced our concern over the height.”

The historic 68-year-old boathouse was completely destroyed, along with the surrounding pier system, in the July 2010 Menemsha fire. The piers have since been rebuilt.

Steve McGhee
Steve McGhee, Chilmark Historical Commission. — Ivy Ashe

Coast Guard architect Daniel Bass said on Wednesday the design is significantly reduced from the original plan proposed in October. And signaling a clear intention to move forward with the project, the Coast Guard also announced a construction schedule that includes soliciting design bids this May, awarding a design contract by August, completing the design by November and completing construction in November 2013.

Congress has approved $10 million for the project, although Francis Brito, a Coast Guard engineer, said construction costs could be lower.

Mr. Brito defended the design.

“We have done a lot to come up with the building that will address the Coast Guard’s needs for the next 50 years, recognizing that we were replacing a destroyed building built 50 years back,” Mr. Brito said. “We did our best to listen to you. We do recognize the height of the building is a concern that you all have had . . . but at this stage unfortunately we need to stay at this height.”

Mr. Brito said the issue may be addressed through design bid specifications which will include an incentive for the contractor to lower the height.

“We recognize your perception does not fit with what we have to work with,” the engineer said.

Selectman Jonathan Mayhew questioned the need for the large boat bay planned to hold the 25-foot search and rescue vessel. Menemsha station senior chief Jason Olsen said extra space is needed for the hoist mechanism for the boat.

Still unwilling to concede the point on the height issue, selectman Warren Doty said the building as planned exceeds town zoning rules, which limit buildings to 18 feet in coastal areas except by special permit.

“We know as the federal government you don’t need to comply with our local zoning bylaw, but we have worked really hard to keep buildings low — this is still taller than anything else we’d give a permit to,” Mr. Doty said.

Mr. Brito reiterated that the height could change.

“The contractor is going to be boxed in to the maximum height here, but if anything the height could come lower,” he said.

“There’s no comfort level there,” Mr. Fenner said.