The next of many steps on the Hamlet at Saugatuck‘s road to approval took place last night.
The Planning & Zoning Commission spent 4 hours reviewing ROAN Ventures’ plans to redevelop the area around Riverside Avenue, Railroad Place and Charles street. The plan is for a combination of retail, residences, a hotel and marina, and open space.
The presentation included details on traffic and the environment.
The P&Z will continue its consideration of the Hamlet on March 24. The Architectural Review Board will also discuss the project on March 18 (7:30 p.m., Town Hall).
Part of the Hamlet at Saugatuck project, leading to the Saugatuck River (rear).
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The Connecticut Department of Transportation maintenance facility — tucked between Walgreens and West Parish Road on Post Road East — has often been mentioned as a site for affordable housing.
The door may soon close on that option. The state plans to build a new 23,000-square foot facility, on the part of the site closest to to the Sherwood Island Connector. Access would come from that road.
Entrance to the state maintenance facility on Post Road East. Walgreens is at right.
The plan — first reported by CT Insider — would include room for at least 17 vehicles, and offices.
“The current Westport maintenance facility, built in 1958, is outdated and cannot adequately accommodate the modern vehicle fleet,” the story said. The current building is 7,700 square feet.
Construction could begin next winter.
Drawing of the new state Department of Transportation facility.
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Andrew Colabella and Jimmy Izzo have withdrawn — “without prejudice to the underlying or ultimate issues involved” — their request to overturn the Planning & Zoning Commission’s negative 8-24 report regarding a new maintenance building at Longshore.
The Representative Town Meeting members said that while their body has the authority to address the procedural questions that led to the petition, they now believe the matter should be returned to the Board of Finance, “with a request for the necessary funding to properly address the maintenance building at Longshore and its location concerns.”
Colabella and Izzo added, “A key message emerging from the early February zoning hearing and last week’s RTM subcommittee meeting was that all parties involved must ‘try harder. However, the ‘try harder’ option comes with a price tag, which requires an appropriation only within the purview of the Board of Finance to approve.
“Moreover, much of the rationale for denying the Administration’s §8-24 was rooted in the perception that there had been insufficient collaboration somewhere in the early stages of this process.
“Accordingly, we have consulted with the First Selectwoman’s Office and a consensus has emerged that a specific appropriation request to finance a more comprehensive approach should be presented to the Board of Finance. We believe this step aligns with both Connecticut statutory law and local precedent.”
The 2 RTM members say that their petition fulfilled its goal of promoting public discussion, and a vigorous review. They have withdrawn their petition “in the interest of efficiency, adhering to legal precedence, and sound governance.”
The proposed site of the new maintenance facility at Longshore.
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State Representative Dominique Johnson hosts a 3-point event April 6.
Pizza, politics and basketball are on the menu, at Riko’s in Saugatuck.
The event offers residents of the 143rd District an informal, town hall-style chance to meet Johnson, ask questions about policy initiatives in Hartford, and share concerns about the community.
She will be available from 1:30 p.m. until the NCAA women’s Division I basketball championship game starts at 3. Johsnon invites everyone to stay and watch together.
Questions? Email Dominique.Johnson@cga.ct.gov, or call (860) 240-8585.
State Representative Dominique Johnson
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Want to be a Westport Library board member? The trustees have vacancies.
If you love our library — and have ideas to make it even better — click here for more information.
Westport Library board of trustees.
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Alison Milwe Grace has done just about everything in the culinary world, from cooking and catering to teaching.
Now she’s an author too.
The Staples High School graduate (and instructor, and owner of AMG Catering & Events) has just released “Savor: Recipes to Celebrate” — a collection of recipes, themed classes and menus for home cooks.
On March 19 (7 p.m.), she’ll launch her book at the Westport Library.
“Every day should be treated like a special occasion – a reason to celebrate another day of living!” Milwe Grace says. “And what better way to bring people together than with food?” Click here for more information.
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As Elon Musk takes a chainsaw to the US government, sales of Teslas have plunged worldwide.
We don’t know how many drivers in Westport — the Connecticut municipality with (according to suburban legend) the most Teslas in the state — may have buyer’s remorse.
But there is at least one. This bumper sticker was spotted yesterday, at the Compo Road North/Post Road East light:
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The Downtown Plan Implementation Committee meets Thursday (March 13, 8:30 a.m., Town Hall Room 201/201A).
The agenda includes the downtown design master plan, Jesup and Imperial Avenue parking lot updates, and the Church Lane closure.
Imperial Avenue parking lot.
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One of Jazz at the Post’s favorites — Westport’s own Melissa Newman — returns to the VFW this Thursday (7:30 and 8:45 p.m.; dinner from 7 p.m.; $20 music cover, $15 for veterans and students).
She’s joined by other Post favorites: guitarist Tony Lombardozzi, bassist Phil Bowler and drummer Bobby Leonard. Click here for tickets, and more details.
Melissa Newman
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Today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature is a 4-fer:
(Photos/Lou Weinberg)
Superb nature photographer Lou Weinberg writes: “It’s that time of year.
The snowdrops have emerged. Snowdrop flowers provide native bees (which are now emerging) and other native pollinators with a source of nectar and pollen during this time of year when there are very limited sources of energy.
“Mason bees, like other native bees, are solitary and over-winter in holes in dead wood and in the hollow stems of plants. Mason bee houses are readily available for purchase. They are fun and educational and very important as native bee habitat is constantly under pressure from increased development.
“Snowdrop flowers grow in clumps as their bulbs divide. They also provide habitat for smaller critters on the forest floor. They strengthen the ecosystem’s biodiversity!
“These photos were taken at the Long Lots Preserve, adjacent to the Westport Community Gardens on Hyde Lane. The Long Lots Preserve is an environmental rehabilitation project geared towards improving our town’s biodiversity.”
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And finally …
Regarding the various controversial plans of the First Selectwoman noted above (Longshore, downtown, Saugatauck), she is now turning her time and attention to a gubernatorial campaign, thus fully qualifying as a Lame Duck.
I would advise our other town leaders start re-assessing future development and infrastructure ideas and place priorities on needs of residents vs developers, such as preserving open space and keeping a tight rein on spending.
Further, federal funding previously enjoyed by Westport and Connecticut is likely to be restricted by her political party. Inflation is an expected consequence of her party’s extreme national actions. Spending in Westport needs to be reined in. Now is the time to reassess the “destination vision” of a lame duck.
The Hamlet was a project that I opposed, believing it to be too massive for Saugatuck. Others may disagree. However, in adding conceptual drawings to any 06880 story on the Hamlet, I think it fair to include those that also depict the very tall, multi-story buildings proposed for the waterfront. Today’s story included only a more modest street scape with trees.
I live within a five minute walk to Saugatuck center and enthusiastically support the latest iteration of The Hamlet. I want to see this built just the way the latest plans show it to be. I can’t wait to walk through the Hamlet on my way to a restaurant or to view the river. I urge town leaders to approve this project.
I can only imagine what commuting will become if “The Ham Sandwich” becomes reality. Well, perhaps it’s a good thing. New York is no longer safe and telecommuting is the new normal since the pandemic. The final nail in Westport’s coffin.
The rumors of Westport and NYC demise are greatly exaggerated.
We’re frequently in the city, my husband daily and semi-frequently with our young children, and it’s been no more dangerous than average. I’d venture a guess that it’s far safer than the gritty days of the 70s and 80s.
Also not sure if you’ve seen all the return to office (RTO) mandates, but it’s definitely had an impact on Westport commuters, and it’s easily observable that the lots are almost full on many weekdays at both Greens Farms and Saugatuck.
Or is your comment just stirring the pot?
Nope. I don’t do pot. That problem’s covered in another thread this week. But that’s bad too. Tooker has big plans for cleaning it up (when she goes to Hartford).
Can someone tell me if the area currently becomes overburdened with traffic, especially when trains arrive, or if there is an accident/construction/detour, how the heck would the area handle substantially more traffic?
Publish the proposed waterfront view. The 60ft plus behemoth with the giant hollywood style sign on it that says Saugatuck in big shiny letters, it’s a perfect comedic punchline. Or would be if it wasn’t such a slap in the face.
We currently have a Hamlet in Saugatuck, it may not be the most glossy or functional, and it certainly needs remediation for the soil. What is being proposed is an overgrown hog. And I mean that in every sense of the word. The town is using the allure of private investors paying for their responisibilties i.e. Remediation of contaminated soil and promises of very slightly improved traffic congestion. Which both town and state should be responsible for.
And what will the community of Saugatuck get in return?
An already broken promise for improvements in public transportation, there will be NONE and at the same time they plan to not only eliminate public parking but buy out even more of the existing publicly funded parking lots and it will be entirely Valet paid parking.
White Roan wants to have their own private dock to go for boat rides and a new shiny office, well that would be fine… but no that’s not enough they want to be little overlords of a new town center and take the entire waterfront. All of your favorite local landmarks and restaurants will be put out of business. Renters will no longer be able to afford the area. They are disgusted by the idea of affordable housing and said “It will be all offsite” and if they can’t find off site locations they will be “forced” to put it on site. They described our neighborhood as “scary” to walk around in.
The only people excited are the already rich who salivate at getting richer. They are not satisfied with all the properties they have gorged themselves on, they are eyeing more.
This proposal is bad for the community, its bad for small business owners, its bad for renters, its bad for employees, its ultimately incredibly greedy.
Look at the plans and drawings yourself, slog through the PR dreck of descriptions which claim to serve the community first and honor traditions meanwhile they are forcing a neighborhood into a monopoly of ownership and control, sucking the marrow out the bone of this community. Call it what it is, pig-like greed.
I’m looking forward to the Hamlet. Anything is an improvement in comparison to the current location. Obviously, there will be increased traffic but geeeeez people…Relax. In my view, the good outweighs the bad. What’s the alternative?…Let the whole thing deteriorate further? No thanks.
Rich
There was a resident and business driven plan put forward some years ago. Many hundreds of hours spent on an amenable redevelopment. It was rejected in favor of a much greater intensification of use.
I lived in Westport for 40 years and loved every minute of it. It was unique and special. While I know that over time everything changes what has gone on in this town is just sad – thar is the only word for it.
The proposed Hamlet project is too big for Saugatuck and inappropriately relies on public railroad parking to make the numbers work.
Specifically, as the developers outlined last night, they are looking to claim 40 spaces on Railroad Place and another 60 spots in Lot 7. They’re also counting on using Lot 1 “for event parking on the weekends and after 3PM.” They claim those areas can be simply used or perhaps leased from the Town of Westport. This is false: the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT), the largest landowner in Saugatuck, owns both Railroad Place and Lot 7; Westport is a lessee. And the State has a fiduciary duty to ensure those leased properties are used to facilitate mass transit, not subsidizing a glitzy private development.
Anyone in Westport and surrounding towns who thinks they might EVER need a parking space(s) at the train station best get your name on that waiting list ahead of hamlet.
And FOIA the wait list so you can see where you stand.
Parking down in Saugatuck is going to become like gold dust.
As if it isn’t already.
I’m curious to know how Franklin can become a 2 way street when everyone who lives on it parks on the street.. that doesn’t leave space for 2x way traffic.
They do all have cars.
I also assume PZ will never allow the suggestion of 40 spaces on railroad place and 60 in lot 7, or the use of lot 1 after 3 pm,
Because the spaces at lot 7 could be needed at any moment for commuters. Plus westport partners with the state on that parking. There is an existing agreement. We are in effect leasing many of railroad lots from the state.
Their plan should be able to stand on its own without needing railroad parking for it to work.
And let’s not forget haiwatha apartment residents will all be looking for parking permits too, since there’s nothing like, adequate parking provided for tenants/owners of Haiwatha.
This whole plan screams super fancy “private community”.
not too mention so many park up on the curb on saugatuck ave but if they followed the law and didnt, the street would be blocked.
While not a direct (or even an) analogy in any way, for some reason, Willoughby keeps popping into mind…
This project can be best summed up in a famous quote by Dolly Parton ” My daddy says you can’t put 10 lbs of mud in a 5 lb bag”
“HAMLET”- Webster defines this as “a small village” – Observing the artist rendition of three massive buildings five stories high on the waterfront of the Saugatuck River goes beyond ridiculous. I’ve lived on Riverside Ave. for over 40 years. I know better about the traffic pile ups better than any traffic engineer. Just be here when the traffic piles up from the post road ALL THE WAY TO I-95. “Three year obstruction to traffic”? – Riverside Ave. is the main corridor from the Parkway to the thruway, the railroad station, a school. It’s not only one of the most dangerous streets but one of the most traveled in Westport.
Years back I believe 1900 vehicles a day were recorded. Have you seen the monstrosity going up on the corner of the Post Road and Riverside. The Merritt was built in the 1930’s, the the Thruway in the 60’s, the Post Road in the 1800’s. Where is all this traffic going to go? Could a fire truck or emergency vehicle get through. Could the Fire or Police ever handle an emergency evacuation of all this?
We have some good people on the P&Z and RTM. My fervent hope is they are able to put the brakes on this project and keep the destruction of Westport’s small town flavor and protect the fragile ecosystem of the Saugatuck.
I just drove down Franklin street, a one way street currently.
Hamlet would like to make it 2 way. Most likely I imagine so they can valet all the cars to lot 7 which they are trying to take, and have a quick exit if it’s 2x way.
Problem is amongst many problems, most residents on Franklin park their cars ( as is their right) curbside. Many homes there do not have driveways. There’s also a lot of permit parking on that street between Zucca and lot 7. Were that on parking to be removed as well as residential on street parking on Franklin, it’s about 60 parking spaces, curbside.
Couple that with the hamlets intention to take lot 7( another 60-70 spaces) that’s approx 130 spaces.
This huge project will require in the vicinity of 1000 plus parking spots, and not just at night.
Residents and permit Parker’s should not have to compete with a horde of valet guys.
Making Franklin 2x way is simply not a good option( especially when it is without a shadow of doubt to suit these greedy developers.
And giving them unfettered access to any of the lots that are included in railroad parking is simply not ok.
No doubt lot 7 is further from the train station and therefore the last lot to be used by commuters, but one day commuters will need it as they all return to work.
Today there were plenty cars parked in lot 7.
I just watched a recording of the developer’s latest presentation to the PZC this week with the best of intentions. I kept asking, “How is this very dense, very intensified, very complicated proposal going to make Westport a better place?
The developers refer to this tiny riverfront piece of Westport as “the last strategic piece of property in all of Connecticut.” I can’t disagree with that. But …
PZC Chair Paul Lebowitz called on Commissioners for their initial thoughts on this, the first overview, of The Hamlet at SAUGATUCK (all caps).
I have a few initial thoughts which I will relay to the PZC:
The development is so over-the-top for its location as to beg for a raison d’etre. It tries to cram high end residential quarters and private amenities with costly public quarters such as three hotel buildings and a problematic and costly paid-parking solution.
The architectural schematics and themes are absolutely lovely. The landscape architectural drawings are magical. Enchanting marketing-speak is infused in the presentation, their website, and their new magazine. It’s a beautifully crafted concept.
Yet I can’t see it as adding value to life in Westport for residents, such as myself (a 25-year resident).
As a former resident of New York City for many years, I resisted trips to Times Square. And, I don’t want a Times Square in Westport.
I suggest something far more modest; less problematic from a traffic and parking situation; and with a greater focus on serving the residential sector. A boardwalk. Some retail, residential, and a marina all sound great. Affordable housing units there would be fabulous. Buildings that are shorter in stature and far less dense. A better ball field next door.
These are just a few ideas from my personal vision for a better Westport.