BAR HARBOR – The harbor committee voted unanimously Wednesday to recommend approval of a wharf permit for developer Thomas Walsh, the first step in getting Walsh’s idled marina project restarted.

In recommending approval to the Town Council, the harbor committee concluded Walsh’s expanded marina would not unreasonably interfere with commercial or recreational activities in the busy harbor.

The Town Council will hold a special meeting next Tuesday to consider the wharf permit. The harbor committee’s recommendation is expected to carry weight with the council.

The town ordered Walsh’s marina project halted in mid-June after someone called to complain that Walsh was installing floats and pilings without the proper permits, including a building permit.

Walsh needs a wharf permit from the council, which is mandated by state law, before he can get a building permit to resume the project.

He still is awaiting state approval on some elements of the project, which could further slow down the construction.

Walsh tore down the old Golden Anchor hotel on West Street and is replacing it with a new hotel and expanded marina to accommodate more and bigger vessels. Harborside Hotel & Marina is estimated to cost $30 million.

Walsh and his projects manager, Eben Salvatore, have said they didn’t know they needed a wharf permit before putting in their elaborate new float system. They attended Wednesday’s meeting to update the committee on the project, explain changes and answer questions.

Town Planner Anne Krieg said the wharf permit requirement gives the town a chance to consider the impact of development on the operation and safety of the harbor, unlike federal and state agencies that focus on their own special areas of concern.

In related action, the harbor committee Wednesday approved changes to Walsh’s marina plans, including a 40-foot extension to the float in front of his hotel restaurant. The committee also approved changes to an E-shaped set of floats to allow the floats to be anchored with pilings rather than blocks and chains.

The floats already have been installed with the pilings system.

The committee agreed with Salvatore that the pilings would provide stronger protection against storms and the wind, making the floats safer and better secured.

Committee Chairman Jon Carter said the committee wanted to review the float changes because they had changed since the committee approved the plans last year.

Ed Damon, whose property abuts Harborside, raised concerns about safe passage in and out of the harbor for both commercial and recreational boats. If a large boat from Harborside came loose in a storm, it could block the channel or damage other vessels, he said.

The committee agreed that the harbor is hardly big enough to accommodate current activities and boats, but members also concurred that Walsh would run a responsible operation and Harbor Master Charlie Phippen could manage the traffic and congestion.

“We’ll constantly be paying attention to our vessels or any boats that come to our harbor,” Salvatore told the committee.

Added Phippen, “I don’t see why we can’t have a nice smooth operation … so I don’t see it as an issue.”

The expanded marina will allow enough space for even large luxury liners and other vessels to turn around without interfering with harbor traffic, Salvatore said.

Salvatore and Walsh also assured the committee that their boats and marina would not block Damon’s beach, where fishermen often pull in to fix their boats, or other nearby properties.