The Mathews County Wetlands Board approved a Mathews Land Conservancy application last Wednesday to build a 10,800 square-foot boathouse/sailing center at Williams Wharf.

The land conservancy initially came before the wetlands board in January with the plan, but the wetlands board said it couldn’t support the proposal unless the conservancy made a greater effort to minimize the effect it would have on wetlands. On Wednesday, the board unanimously supported the project.

"I believe the applicant has minimized (the effect on wetlands) as much as practicable," said board chair Ken Kurkowski.

Residents packed the county’s historic courthouse to show their support for the project. Members of Mathews High School crew, dressed in team colors, lined the walls of the courtroom.

During the more than two-hour meeting, more than a dozen people spoke in favor of the project. No one spoke against the plan, although one resident submitted written comments in opposition.

Projec...