CZM members Andrew Penn and Edmond Roberts.

With minimal discussion, the St. John Coastal Zone Management Committee on Wednesday unanimously approved the second permit extension for G.E. Marsh Legacy Development. However, the committee mandated that the company must start construction within one year.

The company told CZM it hadn’t started building its proposed commercial development on five acres in the Carolina valley because it had family health issues, other business interests had closed and it had financing problems.

According to the staff recommendations, Marsh Legacy has had multiple discussions with Merchants Commercial Bank concerning financing.

While CZM member Brion Morrisette said he’d like to see something more than just conversation, he added, “Nevertheless, I’d like to see the project go forward.”

Marsh Legacy representatives did not attend the meeting, which prevented the CZM members from asking any questions.

“Frankly, I would have thought they’d be here,” Morrisette said.

Marsh Legacy got its initial permit on May 19, 2010, to build 17,640 square feet of space that would include two commercial buildings, a residential and commercial building, a food court, an amphitheater seating 150 people and a maintenance building.

The first extension was granted on May 9, 2011.

CZM attorney Winston Brathwaite said the department’s policy is to only give three extensions.

In addition to Morrisette, CZM members Andrew Penn and Edmond Roberts attended the meeting. The committee is short two members.