Objectors speak of their concerns over proposed Park Hyatt resort
Objectors reiterated their concerns about the proposed Park Hyatt resort in a special meeting with Planning officials this week.Approximately 65 people turned out for a hearing at Penno’s Wharf to state why they felt the proposed St George’s development was not appropriate in its current state.Their concerns were heard by members of the Development Applications Board and Park Hyatt representatives.Monday’s meeting in St George’s was limited to persons who had lodged a formal objection to the proposed development.“Almost all supported the building of a hotel on the site, but wanted the massing scaled down, the design to be more Bermudian and the preservation of open space and other conservation areas,” said Stuart Hayward, chairman of the Bermuda Environmental Sustainability Taskforce (BEST).The charity has objected to the proposal, which it has described as “un-Bermudian”.Mr Hayward said that a presentation given by Planning officials was followed with one by Bob Coleman, a representative for the project.The charity head said he expressed concerns on BEST’s behalf, about the density and aesthetics of the project and the placement of sewage and industrial facilities in a residential area near the entrance to the proposed resort.He also called for open space, woodlands and agricultural land to be preserved, and for the sewage plant to accommodate the needs of the town of St George.St George’s resident David Hillier also spoke out against the proposed sewage treatment facility.Developer Carl Bazarian has said that the sewage facility would be state-of-the-art, producing no noticeable noise or odour. The fact the facility is placed at the entrance to the resort demonstrates how innocuous it will be, he has stated.He said that the development was designed with Bermuda guidelines in mind, and would be more fitting than the Club Med resort that previously occupied the site.Twenty buildings are planned for the resort, with none more than three-stories in height. Among those are four hotel buildings with around 100 rooms in total.Condominiums and villas are also proposed, as well as restaurants and spa and golf facilities.Permission in principle for the development has already been granted through the Park Hyatt Resort Act 2008. The Department of Planning organised a meeting after numerous objections to the proposal were lodged.