While the agency has already held one more public hearing than required, Durand says the tenor among activists, public officials and residents seems to indicate more time is needed for interested parties to make their feelings known, especially since the previous hearings were held during the summer.

"I believe that maximizing public input into the plan up front is just as important as maximizing public access to the waterfront," says Durand. "We need to make sure the public's interests are served in this process from beginning to end."

Municipal harbor plans establish development guidelines and access mandates along public waterways. Resolving the Boston version is considered a critical step in the development of the 1,000-acre Seaport District, seen as the next great frontier for commercial development in the city. Several high-profile projects, including the Pritzker family's massive mixed-use project on Fan Pier, are on hold until the plan is finalized.