The possibility of over 500 units of 8-30g housing — 30% of it affordable, under state guidelines — in 3 massive buildings on the Hamlet footprint in Saugatuck was not the only discussion at last night’s Planning & Zoning Commission meeting.
The virtual event — which began amicably, with the unanimous approval of the Long Lots Elementary School site plan — turned hot, as the public weighed in for the final time on the Hamlet proposal itself.
It was a major step on the long road for the controversial residential/retail/ event space/marina complex. Before adjourning at 1:18 a.m., commissioners voted 6-1 to close public comment. Michael Calise offered the lone dissent.
The P&Z now has 65 days to render a decision.
Ninety minutes earlier — just before midnight — commissioner Neil Cohn made a powerful statement about the inappropriate level of vitriol, and the need to change the debate tone. The public had begun speaking at 10:10 p.m.
Still, the comments continued.
Architectural designs for the 11 buildings that would make up The Hamlet.
Frustration was expressed by proponents as well as opponents of the project.
Many comments focused on the traffic study conducted by consultants for the developer, ROAN Ventures. There were questions about the dates studied (including Rosh Hashana weekend); the lack of parking for employees. how stacked parking would work, and sightlines.
One commenter remarked on the “spillover” effect, and whether drivers avoiding the area would cause more traffic in other parts of town.
There were questions too about the lack of affordable housing. (Fourteen “below-market” rates would be built offsite). At the same time, investors are upset with the length of time the process has taken.
The Hamlet was first introduced 4 years ago. Town bodies including the Conservation Commission and Flood & Erosion Control Board have since given approval. It complies, ROAN and Planning & Zoning director Michelle Perrillie say, with the conditions of a text amendment, approved in 2022 by the P&Z.
One view of the proposed Hamlet at Saugatuck.
Still, the questions — and strong statements — continued.
Residents wondered whether parking spots would be taken from the train station.
Proponents, meanwhile, attacked “misinformation” in statements by the Westport Alliance for Saugatuck, an opposition group.
The Hamlet’s designers don’t live in Saugatuck, one resident said. (ROAN’s offices are on Riverside Avenue, a few yards from the Black Duck.) The people of the town know what is best for the area, another added.
Finally, the hearing was adjourned.
The Planning & Zoning Commission now has just over 2 months to reach a verdict.
But heated public comments about the Hamlet — and a possible 8-30g affordable housing project, in its place — will likely continue, on social media and blogs, and in conversations all around town.
(Catherine Campagnino contributed reporting to this story.)
While not a reason for complacency, no matter what the PandZ decides, this is sure to end up in court with the losing side suing. It has happened in every small town development I covered during 20 years (off and on) on small town newspapers.
While it’s always nice for neighbors to be pleasant to one another, try tossing Trump up in the air like in basketball or dropped to the ice like a hockey puck during a face-off, and see how nice people will be.
Unfortunately these are severely fractured times leading to intense expressions of belief.
There could not possibly be a worse area for 500 residential units and an 8-story building — in the vicinity of our RR station, and right on the river? No wonder Westporters are up in arms!
The proposal will worsen significantly traffic around our RR station and possibly add ten minutes to the commute of all Westporters going by train to NYC. That will have a knock-on effect on Westport home values when the commute is delayed.
Because of its geography, this area is already a traffic bottleneck. An 8-story building at our waterfront will destroy the beauty of the riverscape.
I wish we were up to speed as a town with our 8-30g status–albeit in a commercial area like Post Rd East– so we as a town would not be held over a barrel like this.
Shame on this developer for threatening to destroy commute times, thereby delaying returning parents to their families, and threatening to destroy the beauty of our riverscape for ALL Westporters, just so he can increase his PERSONAL profit.
Tell him to move his whole project to Post Rd East.
Where is the scale model?
Missing because it would show the intensity and insanity of the projects scale.
Before I read, did the 8-30g conversation come up in your Instagram interview? Did not have a chance to listen yet?
Stating the obvious, P&Z effectively doesn’t exist in our town. As I write, what is essentially an 8-30 g for rich people (a roughly 40-foot-tall big-box residence with zero design sensibility) is being built on what used to be our quaint, little historic road. I know, join the club. Here’s the thing: When we first inquired about the maximum allowable height in our neighborhood, P&Z said it was 26’, which is reasonable. However, because the lot is under a certain size, 28’ is allowable. Yet, this is measured only to the mid-point of the roof, meaning that to its peak, the house is about 34’ tall. But wait, there’s more: The foundation extends about another 5 feet above grade, and presumably, landfill will create a new, higher baseline. The result is a Goliath that is hilariously out of proportion for a tiny lot in a tiny neighborhood. But it’s not funny. It’s just sad. And all perfectly legal.
Tim,
The worst part, is that this height and consequently density is only legal, because of the travesty of the text ammendment PZ passed, FOR the applicant over 2 years ago.
It was a gross over reach and they still cannot make it work, because they are bound and determined, because of their unadulterated greed, to access and acquire railroad parking in order to facilitate this grossly underparked scenario.
The blame for this monstrosity, lies unequivocally at the feet of any PZ commissioner who 2 years ago set this train in motion by allowing an FAR which simply does NOT come close to working,( and they knew it too) without, massive reliance on metro north parking spaces, stacker parking, and valets using their underground parking as a BYPASS OPERATION” emptying it into commuter spaces.
These are not misrepresentations.
Who is misrepresenting the facts here ? Like the FACT, that there will be approx 650 plus staff. FACT !
For an elected member of a commission in our town to pull a stunt like the attempted justification to hand over part of lot 8 on a silver platter, is deeply disturbing.
It’s as questionable as stating precedence, because when this is challenged in court, that precedent which is in direct conflict with the CTDOT railroad contract will be struck down as it violates the terms of that very contract, which can be terminated at any moment by CTDOT, and in fact expires in 2031.
It is not under the pervue of PZ or the selectwoman, or the police dept ( who, presently manage railroad parking) to give away as much as 1, let alone 100 parking spaces at our railroad, in order to fit a square peg into a round hole, all for the betterment of the investors profit, and screwing over commuters not only from Westport but from surrounding towns.
The Hamlet can create the equivalent of 100 spaces at ground level by “sacrificing” some ( not all) of their precious retail. Of course that means a little less profit.
At the end of the day the FAR which, should more appropriately, have been written into this text amendment, would be far more realistic at 1000 square feet – 30 parking spaces.
Instead the commissioners ( who passed this) looked at, in collaborative fashion, what exactly it was the client was building, and wrote in, a completely unrealistic FAR, which on paper looks like the math adds up.
Sure, it adds up if those 40 retail spaces remain vacant and abandoned with no staff or customers.
But here’s the thing, they can’t even make that FAR math add up. Not without the railroad parking “golden ticket”.
No ! The Hamlet must not be aided and assisted by the PZ, who, may I respectfully remind them, were elected by us, not by ROAN, though watching these last meetings, and the lot 8 STUNT, you’d never know it.
Last I checked, at least 1500 residents in this town have vocally opposed this project. The tip of the iceberg. A far, far greater number than support it.
The PZ is not listening to the residents, and instead, is accusing those of us with FACTS, of misrepresenting the truth.
The stunning LIES, which all revolved around hamlets staff parking, which were told 2 years ago, and are ( recorded for all to see), in order to justify this text amendment being able to work without lot 7, have come FULL CIRCLE, and we are back to LOT 7 or, now is it lot 8, AGAIN. No surprise mind you.
Why ? Because the applicant does not want to build in enough parking themselves, as it will mean less profit. And because some commissioners are bound and determined to assist them, with “go arounds”, in what can only be called out as questionable desperation to pass this application.
This is all about MONEY, and PROFIT, and GREED.
The Hamlet simply does not work.
I believe Tim is referring to a new construction single family residence on his street.
I was actually more in favor of the project until your Q&A last week Dan. The gentleman from ROAN who responded on why they wanted to use this space noted something to the effect of “this is the last space in Westport we could find that could support this level of density”.
And I think that is the key thing. No one is saying that we shouldn’t look at renovating this area, but few except the investors are excited about the amount of density that they are proposing whether it be due to traffic, parking, aesthetics or actual demand for the amenities (do we need a large hotel with a high-end spa in Saugatuck?)
That Q&A was a choreographed advertisement for this applicant and Dave Briggs, to try and disparage those of us who know exactly what is being brushed under the rug. Cloak and dagger style.
The number of staff at this ugly monstrosity was LIED about. YET AGAIN !
A barefaced lie.
The affordable housing ( if it is not being newly built) is most likely going to be put in already existing below market affordable housing units thus taking those out of circulation.
How will potentially, approx 12 restaurants, 28 retail stores, numerous valets, administrative staff, for over 100
Apts and hotel rooms, cleaning staff, bell caps, and the tens of people involved in supporting the accommodation sector of this build, the roof top bars, the “eatily” and event space..
this is at least 650 plus staff. FACT and PZ and investors know it !!!!!
Cunning use of the underground stacked garages to funnel cars out to our commuter parking, in what is known in the industry as a BYPASS OPERATION, only possible with a bunch of valets.
And this development is not in any way shape or form for westporters. Anyone who believes it is, is just dreaming.
It’s creating a destination. One where they hope visitors, with far more disposable cash than the average Westporter will drop 20k in a weekend.
A place they want elitists to come, stay in their hotel, go for overpriced spa treatments, head out to their island, if they ever build the marina ( which was part of the photos 2 years ago) and quite likely will never be built, eat in their 12 restaurants, and shop in their bougie “curated” boutiques..
quite frankly it is obnoxious.
But it was always obnoxious. This is nothing new.
We the Westport taxpayer won’t be able to afford to go to their elitist community, because we will all be paying inflated property taxes to cover the cost of the extra police needed to direct traffic, the new fire station needed to house the new ladder truck in Saugatuck.
Something the hamlet should be paying for.
Clark:
Bingo.
In fact, in their opening salvo way back at their first appearance at PZC with this project, they claim this is the “last strategic piece of property in all of Connecticut.” I do not know if that is true, but if so, you would think Westport would have held on to a few strategic cards in its P&Z deck.
Westport as a “destination” is contrary to what most Westporters have expressed during this prolonged drama. The Hamlet is not for Westporters. It is for wide-eyed developers and their tag-along wanna-be’s. The Hamlet as proposed is “destined” to fail because of it. I implore the developers to build what I am sure they truly know Westport wants. Please. Be our heroes.
As for affordable housing, Westport put itself in this stranglehold precisely because of projects like this, repeated over and over. While town officials make some noise about its AF fund and committee, Westport is not really interested in affordable housing; quite the opposite. Actions speak louder than words.
The Hamlet is preferable to a 500 unit 8-30(g) development. Either way more traffic but we should not “cut off our nose to spite our face.”
I think it’s really time for a wise old approach to this problem.
“GOOD THINGS TAKE TIME”
There is time for any project of this magnitude and importance!
I don’t care if the “Investors” are upset and impatient all investments include risk and they should realize that Westport is not responsible for their investment decisions.
The approval of the Hamlet project is too important and a huge long term affect project to be pushed and coerced through these approvals.
Westport, please use long term FORESIGHT and WISDOM to keep Westport wonderful and special! “HASTE MAKES WASTE”
If they don’t get their way they’ll build 500 8-30g units? Sounds awfully like a threat to me.
I believe that was what they intended. Unfortunately, it is a credible threat.
Who are the Roan investors?
It’s about time someone in the administration starts an open conversation with ROAN to buy them out of their position and take control of the development discussion. Who knows what might transpire. We MUST think a little out of the box. The current discussion is a lose lose. Please stop the train. These guys may just want to get out with a quick buck and the Town might make some money in a careful, long term and balanced business like deal. Please start talking and run the numbers.
This is correct. The town should step in here. If the town bought the land we could make a green park along the river and Saugatuck would be beautiful and we could live happily ever after.
The town will definitely not do that. Makes too much sense to try to keep our quaint town beautiful. The powers that be are too power and money hungry for what suits them and they don’t care what the actual tax payer want. Give them a minute and they will pave the entire town over and then wonder why the property values go in the toilet.
The reason people moved here is for the towns quaint new England charm they just keep erasing it… too bad for us don’t forget at the polls on election day!!
Most people who move here move into a massive new house that replaced a “quaint” home that survived for generations. If you think 2025 Westporters are stepping in to prevent this, you’re about to be very disappointed. It’s their friends clamoring for a fancy hotel and more restaurants along the train line.
The magic of Westport is that it is for children. I am constantly reminded of one my favorite quotes from Fitzgerald, “Though the Jazz Age continued it became less and less an affair of youth. The sequel was like a children’s party taken over by the elders.”
Showrunners looking for a pitchable concept for a series which celebrates crass and toxic personalities in search of power, wealth, and culture might well review the June 16 meeting featuring Roan and The Hamlet https://play.champds.com/westportct/event/865
Different Week-Same story
Where is the scale model?
Where is everybody going to park?
How many spaces are estimated for employees,
restaurant , retail shops, hotel, residential units,
marina, et al.
Do they actual think tenants are that stupid they
will sign leases when they realize there is NO
parking?
Oh yes, traffic studies are unbiased. What a joke?
And who is actually Roan?
Their website is pretty much blank.
What experience do they have?
If they are so confident in their brilliant plan,
let them put up a $ 100 million dollar
payment and performance bond, so when the project
goes bust, the town can turn this land into something
beautiful.
OK, so now Roan wants to play hardball.
Is the 500 unit 8-30(g) a threat?
Let them figure out how to build 1000 parking spaces,
and get financing.
What will the rents be? That will bring business
to the Town of Westport.
Threats do not work on the international stage,
they certainly should not work in this beautiful
Town of Westport.
Call their bluff.