Stonington — The proposal to spend up to $2.2 million to buy riverfront land just north of Mystic Seaport to house a public park and the Stonington High School crew team boathouse cleared another hurdle this week as the Planning and Zoning Commission ruled the project is consistent with the town’s Plan of Conservation and Development.

The Tuesday ruling was needed under state law for the project to move forward.

In its finding, the commission pointed to a memorandum from the town planning department that outlined 11 areas in which the proposal is consistent with the town plan.

In a statement released by the town, commission Chairman John Prue said that during the development of the POCD, a community survey found that 78 percent of respondents indicated there is a need for new waterfront public access.

“This project addresses that need,” he said.

"Acquisition of the Mystic River Boathouse Park will not only provide Stonington residents public access to the Mystic River,” said First Selectman Rob Simmons, who has been a big proponent of the project. “It will provide a permanent site for the award-winning Stonington High School crew and a beautiful gateway to historic downtown Mystic.”

Last week, the Board of Selectmen voted unanimously to send the plan to a Sept. 20 town meeting and ask the Board of Finance to approve a supplemental appropriation for the project.

That could come in the way of bonding or tapping the town’s undesignated fund surplus.

Details about how the town would fund the project are expected to be available before the town meeting.

Obtaining Board of Finance support for the project is the next critical step. That board next meets Aug. 3.

The breakdown of costs include $1,875,000 to buy the 1.5-acre site at 123 Greenmanville Ave. from owner Frederic Baumgarten.

It is estimated to cost $311,793 to clean up contamination on the site, but that expense will be deducted from the purchase price.

The town also is holding discussions with the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection about the possibility of obtaining a state grant to cover the cleanup.

That would further decrease the cost of the project or allow additional improvements.

Simmons said he has been reasonably assured the state will provide the money.

There is also $262,290 for demolition and to create the park along with a 15 percent design fee and a 20 percent contingency fund.

The Friends of Stonington Crew would be responsible for raising money to construct the boathouse and dock.

j.wojtas@theday.com