As Rockland abutters and property taxpayers we oppose Capt. Jim Sharp’s application for a conditional Waterfront 1 Zone change to his current contract zone covering his Sharp’s Point South property that abuts the Sail, Power and Steam Museum. 

Sharp’s Point South’s waterfront and buildings are in a contract zone approved for non marine-related businesses, professional and general offices, education and restaurants. 

A contract zone is non-transferable to a future buyer of Sharp’s Point South and exempts any buyer from using that waterfront property and buildings as water, marine dependent or marine-related businesses.

Capt. Sharp’s application for a conditional zone change to his Sharp’s Point South property is made in order that the Sail, Power and Steam Museum would acquire that property, owned by Capt. Sharp, the museum’s board chairman and museum founder. 

If this application were approved, the museum would be entering into a landlord-tenant relationship with businesses that are not related to the mission and purpose of the 501(c)(3) non-profit Sail, Power and Steam Museum: water, marine dependent or marine-related businesses and thus place their non-profit status in possible jeopardy. 

Should the Planning Board and City Council approve Capt. Sharp’s application, the city would lose significant property tax revenue from Sharp’s Point South of a large complex located on prime waterfront property. As well, a property owner – not the city – would control a zone change.

Did the museum have the financial resources to build its new 2 million dollar building expansion? Does the museum have the resources to purchase Capt. Sharp’s waterfront and buildings? Or is the purpose of acquiring a conditional zone for Sharp’s Point South to turn it into a 501(c)(3) non-profit? Or is the museum planning to buy Sharp’s Point South from its Chairman, Capt. Sharp, when the contract zone would then end and the museum would then sell Sharp’s Point South on the open market at a fair market price when the conditional zone would transfer to the buyer?

Phyllis and Kendall Merriam live in Rockland