Salt Grove, a small slice of the Shore that rubs against Cherrystone Inlet and Eyre Hall Creek has become an iconic symbol for the tensions and stasis that is more and more beginning to define life in Northampton County. At stake is the lifestyle and quality of life that Eastern Shore residents have come to cherish, and which is being threatened by the ever-increasing pressure and footprint of developers. At Salt Grove, folks trying to raise families have had their bucolic homes besieged by loud parties and wedding events taking place at the old landing. That location now houses several structures that have been (retro)fitted with bedrooms and baths and together functionally create an ‘event’ space. Previous access to the water (docks) and private clam beds has also become problematic.
These issues began in the fall of 2006 after Hurricane Ernesto supposedly caused damage to the existing bulkheads on the western portion of the property (this damage has been refuted by local landowners). The owner, Eyre Baldwin (Salt Grove, LLC) used this opportunity to build a new bulkhead. However, rather than replacing the existing bulkhead, the new one was built out 10 feet channelward, extending further out into the wetlands, thus increasing the property’s footprint. A new 10 x 16 dock was built to the new bulkhead. The excuse for moving the bulkhead out was to create a more robust tieback system. In the process, approximately 200 square feet of State owned subaqueous bottom, 500 square feet of vegetated intertidal mudflat, and 500 square feet of vegetated tidal wetlands were impacted.
The damage to these wetlands was done without a permit.
The work did not stop there. Baldwin also built a floating dock, new pilings and a gangway (ramp) A concrete pad to the east has been constructed. The owner has attempted to eradicate phragmites near the slab, and has added a geotextile base and covered it with shells. Disturbances to the wetlands did occur.
A structure, that at one time may have been the 1931 shucking house, has been, per the owner converted to a grader shed/watch house. Residents contend it is being used as a vacation rental. The VMRC report says that it is being used as a grader shed and watch house, however it can be, and has been used for “Temporary Recreational Events”, which is a use of right.
After the illegal construction and damage to sensitive wetlands was discovered, the owner submitted an after-the-fact permit application to the Northampton County Wetlands Board for the work that had been done. The Board met in October to review the request.
During public comments, the owner, Eyre Baldwin admitted that, “he had done it without getting permission”, however, “this is not an issue about permits, it is an issue about principles, personalities.”
Other members of the public disagreed, arguing that Mr. Baldwin was quite aware of what he was doing, and that such a small fine would hardly act as a deterrent, and would be treated by developers as merely the cost of doing business. That Mr. Baldwin, his contractor, and his attorney would not know that a permit would be required to work around wetlands does not seem logical. In this County, a person cannot swing a dead cat without hitting one of Mr. Baldwin’s applications somewhere. Baldwin has recently been involved in at least three wetlands permits around Cape Charles Harbor in the last few months.
Board Member Bob Meyers summed up the general feeling, “He doesn’t get it, this is what it is all about. It is about that he did not ask for and get the permit that he knew he needed to have. And then when he got permits, he violated them. This whole issue is about permits and it is unfortunate that he does not understand that. And he stands up in front of us and tells us it is not about permits. It is shocking that his attorney has not told him it is about permits. Everyone acknowledges that there are clear violations going on. The owner was intelligent enough to know that he was doing something improper and yet everything went ahead anyway. I am concerned about this attitude of total disregard of what the rules are when everybody else has to abide by them. If this gentleman is given a free pass it sets a very bad tone for the entire community. This is a dilemma for the Board, we have something that has helped the area and is being used, possibly improperly as residence, which it is not zoned for, and a clear violation of permits and the rules that are set up in the County. We need to address that.”
During public comments developer Bill Parr argued that despite the gross violations by the owner, since Mr. Baldwin had restored the property and hence is growing the tax base, a “regulatory compromise” would benefit the community as a whole. The Wetlands board tended to agree–even with the violations, the consensus was that removing the illegal construction would do more damage to the environment than trying to restore it to its previous condition. After regarding the unpermitted issues such as the filling of the wetlands on the property, the Wetlands Board issued permits after-the- fact, imposed a $7,500 fine and required Baldwin create 548 feet of vegetated wetlands on property he owns.
While there was a $7500 penalty, many in County feel that the punishment hardly seems to fit the crime. It is understood that the Board is limited in what it can do, but others have commented that a $750,000 fine, 4 weekends in the County jail, and being banned from the property for 10 years would have provided more of a deterrent and would send a message to developers that Northampton is not for sale (metaphorically). County Attorney Bruce Jones still has the opportunity to address both civil and criminal charges in this matter.
While there was an opportunity to send a clear message, so far, that has not happened. Instead, a new policy of “regulatory compromise” won the day. That is, “as long as you make it look pretty, go ahead and do whatever you want.” It appears that the foxes are now fully in charge of the hen house.
It has been said before, but who is watching out for the little guy?
The saddest lesson of the Salt Grove incident is that the County has given developers carte blanche to destroy the lives of ordinary families that just happen to be in their way. The construction of a ‘watch house’ and grading shed at Salt Grove is a joke. This is an illegal event venue, a playground for the rich, built at the expense of ordinary working folks. While the County has given notice and halted non-permitted events at Salt Grove for the time being, the County Planning Commission is working to draft proper language that addresses so-called ‘event venues’.
The end game is to develop every piece of waterfront property on the Eastern Shore until it rivals Hilton Head, South Carolina. While geographically small, the incident at Salt Grove is a giant step towards achieving that goal. Oyster, Willis Wharf…better get your waders ready.
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Excellent observation. Plantation mentality in Northampton County…..as always.
Oyster? You must be kidding me? The only thing it had going for it was The Harvey Building. Now that’s gone.
I would love to have any of Mr. Baldwin’s buildings next to my property . They are always first class! Northampton has no tax base now. We need to build a new high school, the hospital is leaving I could go on and on.
People should be applauding projects such as Salt Grove and condemning the unhealthy, grotesque abandoned burned out or deteriating buildings that make Northampton County
look like a third world country in many locations. Northampton allows these types of structures all up and down the shore. What about the trash along the roads. Let’s be more concerned about that! Why do people always complain about the nice things they see, but are blinded by the trash in the ditches, oil containers on beaches, abandoned buildings, ….. I have seen old appliances tossed in yards (there were truck loads of them in a yard in Nassawadox.) Do people have permits for this?
As a resident of Northampton county I can say that I have had much experience with the Salt Grove property. I am a member of the Cape Charles rowing club, which the aforementioned floating dock is used for at Salt Grove. Thanks to the generosity of the Baldwin family, we have a place to do that sport as it requires a short dock to launch our boats. (Before that they allowed us to house our club on their private property aside the open gardens at Eyre Hall).
Each day when we launched our slender sculls into the water, we would encounter many others doing the same, except those were oyster and clamming boats allowed to use the space for free. To my knowledge the Baldwins allowed several aqua farmers to use that space for what it was intended, the seafood business, for many years and only stopped that practice when confronted with this issue of usage. I have no idea where those watermen are now practicing their trade.
I also had occasion to use the space for a funeral for a friend whom was a fisherman, house a family member in need, and experience the beauty of Cherrystone creek in all it’s glory on many and varied mornings. Each time I was upon that creek Teeming with wildlife, I blessed my lot in life to be there and the Baldwin family for their generosity. Not just to me, but to many I know who have used the space to provide for their families.
Is it wrong to beg forgiveness and not ask permission, well, yeah. Is it inconvenient for the people who own the land going into Salt grove to have so many cars and people using the space? well yeah. Personally, I hope an answer is forthcoming that allows people and wildlife to enjoy and preserve the history of that small strip of land, and the ones who live there to have their peace and privacy. Certainly I can see both sides of this coin.
But to say it is going to be like Hilton Head or the like, I just don’t see it happening there. To my (limited) knowledge, buying that property saved it from being even more developed as it was scheduled to have a much larger housing footprint than it currently has before Eyre bought it.
I love that spot and for me it will always hold a special place in my heart for the many hours spent in harmony with nature there and supernal beauty it provided this one rower.
There will soon be no working waterfront space left on the Eastern Shore of Virginia for watermen to use as gentrification is becoming a plague. Watermen, who are already having a difficult time making ends meet financially, often cannot afford slips and expensive dock space. Dare I say look at the huge fiasco where King’s Creek “used to be” as an example? So, go ahead and convert all of the waterfront space for kayak access, rowing opportunities or other “recreational” pleasures to satisfy the upper-crust of the Eastern Shore. You are destroying not only a way of life that supported the ESVA long before your arrival, but also family’s lives. Enjoy yourselves while the poor of the ESVA remain as they always have….poor and powerless.
I think you missed my point. My ‘upper crust’ recreational activity was harmonious with the watermen who worked there. The property was used by them to meet their needs. I am not sure what stopped that rent free usage; the event use or the complaints of traffic by other road occupants. Whatever the case, our club is certainly not a pleasure enjoyed by only the rich as I myself am a working class citizen who shares my hours teaching others to row as well (for free I might add).
It didn’t take long for the “alternative facts” syndrome to hit the Shore. Here we have a real estate developer talking about “regulatory compromise” for someone who didn’t like the rules and failed to get permits. Here’s what courts and legal briefs use as alternative words to “regulatory compromise”:
banking on privilege, an ethical breach of principles, granting an unfair advantage based on convenience, expecting to be excused from compliance with an inconvenient restriction, avoiding entanglement with regulations, and cronyism. They all seem to fit this story; take your pick.
I am a commercial fishermen that worked crabbing out of salt grove on and off some last summer. Mr. Baldwin has let me tie up in there for some years at no charge. I take my pots in there and power wash them when they get dirty also It’s been a big help to me at times. The property looks better than it ever has. It’s really a beautiful place. Hopefully things will work out.
If the people complaining want it , then stop complaining and buy it. It is for sale.
Maybe these people concerned should convince the county to buy it for a public dock for everyone including waterman???
It’ll dream you a dream you a dream that will never come true don’t give me no trouble or I’ll call up my my double will play piggy in the middle with you.
Just who are you directing that child-like gibberish to??? I hope that was not directed to the lady posting above. What is wrong you?? You better leave that stuff alone….it has made you ‘Null and Void’.
It’s from a John Prine song called Common Sense. No I wasn’t directing it at the lady.
I figured that out about the time I sent that reply. I had to run it around my tongue for a bit. I have been listening to him for over 30 years…
I been brought down to zero, pulled out and put back there.
I sat on a park bench, kissed the girl with the black hair
And my head shouted down to my heart
“You better look out below!”
Hey, it ain’t such a long drop don’t stammer don’t stutter
From the diamonds in the sidewalk to the dirt in the gutter
And you carry those bruises
To remind you wherever you go.
-J.Prine ’78
Seen him about 20 times myself since about 75. Relax
John Prine says:
1. I guess if you keep making the same mistake long enough, it becomes your style.
2. If heartaches was commercials, we’d all be on TV.
3. I’m fascinated by America…it’s so odd.
4. Bewildered, bewildered, you have no complaint. You are what you are, and you ain’t what you ain’t.
5. I guess what I always found funny was the human condition. There is a certain comedy and pathos to trouble and accidents. Like, when a driver has parked his car crookedly and then wonders why he has the bad luck of being hit.