As Westport debates the future of Saugatuck — including either the Hamlet residential/retail/event space/marina complex, or a 500-plus 8-30g housing complex, with 30% affordable units — Fairfield has just okayed a 478-unit development.
The Planning & Zoning Commission vote was 5-2. Commissioners said that under the state’s 8-30 affordable housing regulation, they had little choice to say yes. The development would replace the Circle Hotel on the Post Road, near Black Rock.
Click here for the full story, from CT Insider.
Proposed 478-unit 8-30g housing, at 441 Post Road in Fairfield.
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For 44 years, the Susan Fund has helped Fairfield County students who have been diagnosed with cancer go to college.
The low-key — but highly impactful — non-profit honors Susan Lloyd. The popular, multi-talented Staples High School graduate succumbed to bone cancer while at Colgate University, over 4 decades ago.
At its annual reception yesterday, the Susan Fund awarded 19 college scholarships to Fairfield County residents who have been diagnosed with cancer.
Among the recipients was Westporter Charlie Watson, a rising sophomore at Montclair University.
He was joined by the keynote speaker: 7-time Susan Fund recipient Ryan Caulfield. The Staples High School Class of 2017 graduate drove 7 hours — where he is finishing a doctorate in nurse anesthesiology at the University of Pittsburgh — for the event. (Click here for last year’s “06880” story on Ryan’s triumph over cancer.)
Ryan Caulfield
In high school, nursing — let alone anesthesiology — was not on Ryan’s radar.
He spent his 17th birthday in the operating room at Yale New Haven. A tumor completely occluded his left lung.
Several more procedures monitored the tumor. Then, in May of his junior year, his chest was cracked open. A 10-hour surgery successfully removed the tumor, and reconstructed his airway.
After a prolonged recovery, he found the Susan Fund while searching for scholarships. He said, “I realized they cared about my story and academic aspirations. Each year I looked forward to our meeting to share what was new in my life, and my plans after graduation.
“Listening to the stories of the speakers, and honoring and remembering Susan, constantly reinforce my resolve to become the best provider I can be. I never knew Susan, but her compassion and bravery is exemplified by this foundation and the opportunities that have been provided to each recipient to pursue their dreams.”
During its 44 years, the Susan Fund has awarded more than $2 million in scholarships to over 900 individuals. This year’s total was a record amount.
To learn more about the Susan Fund — including how to apply for a scholarship, and donate — click here.
Susan Fund 2025 awardees.
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Every year, the Levitt Pavilion introduces new acts.
But they never forget old favorites.
One of the most popular shows every year is Frank Mastrone & Friends. The singer/actor (“Cats,” “Phantom of the Opera,” “Les Miserables” and more) always delivers a Broadway-quality show.
A large crowd braved last night’s heat to enjoy this year’s edition. Bravo!
The Levitt crowd, for Frank Mastrone. (Photo/Carleigh Welsh)
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With all that’s going on in the world, this was a welcome sight off Compo Beach yesterday:
(Photo/Jim Hood)
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Also at the beach yesterday:
(Photo/Richard Fogel)
And not only is the car very cool. But that’s one of the most unique license plates we’ve ever seen too.
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Summer just started. But the Westport Country Playhouse’s interns are already hard at work.
The quartet gain real-world experience in marketing, developing, production and education. They work closely with senior staff, and join in seminars with guest artists and industry leaders.
If you see them at a show: Say hi, and welcome!
From left: Amy Shapiro, Alli Buchanan, Ena Nomoto, Kelsey McFarland.
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First Folk Sunday — the popular Sunday afternoon series — begins its third season at the Saugatuck Rowing Club on July 6, with a popular draw: a tribute to Linda Ronstadt.
For decades, Suzanne Sheridan and her sister Christine Erskine have been singing the star’s songs for themselves. Now they’ll entertain an appreciative audience with them.
First Folk Sunday producer Rozanne Gates says, “You will hear 2 voices who come as close to Linda as you will get.”
They’ll be accompanied by First Folk Sunday favorites Bob Cooper (keyboards) and Tim DeHuff (guitar).
Saugatuck Rowing Club offers a First Folk Sunday brunch menu and cocktails at each of the season’s 6 shows. Doors open at noon, for the 12:30 start.
Click here for tickets, and more information. Questions? Call 203-984-7562.
Suzanne Sheridan
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Everything But Water has moved into the old Birddogs space, at “Elm & Main” (formerly Brooks Corner).
The Orlando-based women’s retailer specializes in designer swimwear, vacation essentials and accessories.
They operate 34 stores. Westport is their third in Connecticut. The other locations are Farmington and Greenwich.
(Photo/Sal Liccione)
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Jillian Elder — one of our Westport-merch stars — is back.
She says, “Celebrate summer in style with our newest release: ‘Red, White & Westport.’ From cozy hoodies to everyday tees, tanks, mugs and more, this patriotic collection is perfect for showing off your hometown pride.
It’s available now at this link. There’s free shipping across the (red, white and blue) US.
Totes and mugs say “Westport, Connecticut.”
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Most Old Mill Beach scenes show sand and water.
Yesterday morning, colorful flowers and grasses were front and center.
Today, it’s our “Westport … Naturally” feature.
(Photo/Nikki Gorman)
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And finally … in a salute to that very intriguing sailboat spotted yesterday on the Sound (story above):
(It’s going to be a hot one today. But the coolest thing you can do is support “06880,” with a tax-deductible contribution. Just click here. Thank you!)
The sailboat message is fantastic. I’ve always loved the Love Boat theme song. Hard to find happy, fun music every day like we had. Jack Jones was underrated in my view. Lollipops and Roses was always a favorite of mine. My parents always played him. Reminds me of having dinner at home with the family in Westport on a summer night, and the hi fi not wifi was playing.
I happen to know the owner of the “Hart” boat.
It’s Mike Hart and it’s available for local day charters.
I have his cell # from a few years back if anyone is interested.
The 8-30g development at neighboring Fairfield’s Circle Hotel is an abomination that we have resisted for months. It is regrettable for many reasons but worse for those of us who live in its shadow. We have not given up, though. We have legal support and would welcome your contributions to our Go Fund Me. We want to overturn this wrong decision in court and you can help. Read about us, Fairfield Circle Neighbors for Responsible Development.
We as Westport residents should approve a sensible design for the Hamlet. An 8-30g eyesore like the one in Fairfield is not the right solution for the prime location being considered for both.
Susan Fund.
Kudos to Ann Lloyd, Susan’s mother and a fellow Westport Sunrise Rotarian.
Funds from The Great Duck Race support the Susan Fund as well as other programs to improve people’s quality of life and well-being.
As horrific as that Fairfield apartment complex will be, it’s IN ADDITION TO a previously approved 250 unit apartment complex and 110 room replacement hotel – so that’s 722 new apartments in Fairfield at that already horrific circle roundabout intersection.
It’s not hard to imagine the impact on the schools.
Oh, and Fairfield actually has a 4 year 8-30g moratorium now in effect that Westport does not.
I would not tempt fate with an 8-30g complex in lieu of The Hamlet, you’re not going to win.
https://www.ctinsider.com/fairfield/article/fairfield-circle-hotel-apartment-inn-redevelopment-20314651.php
Fix the Hamlet ‼️
Reduce building height
Reduce # large buildings
Require scale model
If it’s the best deal at least keep it reasonable as to size. Doesn’t Westport have enough talented architects to fix it?
Actually – I just did more homework.
The approved 8-30g project with 478 units is the ALTERNATIVE to the hotel / apartment plan which will add only 250 rooms. That’s still awaiting final approval.
So it’s an either / or – which exactly tracks to the path Westport is going down with The Hamlet.
You’re right, David. We asked for a reduction in size, not an elimination of the project. But they ahem trumped us with an increase. These are rapacious builders after profit only. See us as the canary in the coal mine.
So I’m confused. If one cares about preserving local zoning control and preventing over-development & densification, should one vote (D) or (R) in CT and Westport races 4 months from now?
I know I asked once before, but just for sh!ts and giggles, if Westport approved a 500-unit proposal that was 30% affordable, how close would that get us to a moratorium?
According to the everything I’ve found, there are 397 existing, another 79 approved and/or under construction, and to hit 10% there needs to be close to 1100.
Sadly these 8-30g proposals are only ever 30% affordable so it doesn’t add to the gap, but it doesn’t close it considerably since both the numerator and denominator grow.
If all 500 were certified affordable that’d be just about 10%.
Of course, 8-30g only includes affordable housing units built after 1989 (when the regulation was passed). There are more affordable units in town, but they do not factor into the equation.
100% the biggest problem with 8-30g.
I’ve heard that said any number of times but I’m curious if anyone has actually taken a complete inventory of pre-1989 housing that would qualify as “affordable housing” absent the 1989 rule?
Given what real estate prices have done in Westport, aside from the town sponsored housing, I suspect that a lot of properties that may have been “affordable” when they were built and/or purchased, would no longer qualify as “affordable” based on what they would currently sell for.
Boston has (or had) an interesting program. They sold affordable houses/condos to people allowing them to build equity in lieu of renting however, when they were sold, their selling price was limited to their purchase price adjusted for (if I recall correctly) inflation or some fixed annual cap. When they go on the market now (which I gather is not often) they are incredibly affordable though buyers have income restrictions to avoid the problem of affluent people taking advantage of cheap housing. Sort of keeps a lid on what has otherwise happened in Westport.
But, perhaps there are indeed hundreds, maybe thousands, of uncounted “affordable housing” in Westport.
Hey Chris,
Last contact I had with PZ on this subject matter was 2024, I have a print out if you’d like for me to email.
It was 393 then.
It does not account for anything built before 1989, even when they were completely redone and doubled, and money was accepted by the state in these projects
Hales Court, 1655 PRE, Canal Park, some units on Wassell Ln, none count. Imagine if they did?! With roughly 11,000 units of living, if they all counted, our numbers would reflect better.
Even with 500, we would still be short. And then in seven years…they will not count.
Email me I can forward you what I have!
Acolabella@westportct.gov
From a housing panel forum in Westport in 2023:
Housing Statistics
• 10,934 Total Units of Housing
• 79.7% of housing is owner occupied
•61% of those homes have 4+ bedrooms
• 23% of those homes have 3 bedrooms
• 3.8% or 390 Units are affordable
• 8% of the housing in Westport is multifamily
(Evonne Klein)
Regarding 8-30g, frankly I am surprised that the OMG gang hasn’t tried this. You know, go all scorched earth on the people contesting the zoning changes and cut a deal with a group that is going to use 8-30g to put in a 4 story multi tenant, 100% low income building where OMG is if they don’t drop the lawsuit. Maybe even make it a group home for recovering meth addicts.
Sure, the neighbors supporting OMG may not want that either but that would likely be significantly worse than what is currently on the table for those that are fighting it so might get them to back off.
Frankly, if OMG fails, who knows what the next owner will do with the property. It is certainly unlikely to continue as a corner deli after the third (or is it fourth?) group in the past several years has concluded that the OMG is an uneconomic enterprise notwithstanding the apparent overwhelming support of the neighborhood. Might well be an 8-30g development.
Of course, given the failure rate of restaurants, might end up there anyway.
Bravo to the Susan Lloyd Scholarship Fund. I remember her valiant fight – using crutches but determined to do everything she put her mind to. God bless her mother – this is an absolutely an incredible was to horor her beautiful daughter.
A few hours ago Governor Lamont declined to sign HB 5002 into law. This is certainly good news.He says he wants to allow more local control and buy in from local communities,
rather than a mandate from Hartford.
Getting another moratorium is certainly the goal.
In 2019 when we were granted our last moratorium, which expired in 2023, Westport had 390 qualify-able affordable units which was about 3.5%. Even though the goal is 10%, the moratorium was granted because of the efforts being made to increase affordable housing.
I imagine we are not too far from another moratorium.
Between Wilton road now completed and Haiwatha under way
And several others also completed, if the state uses the same kind of yard stick now, we might be really close.
I’m not anti affordable housing.
But I think it’s important to reign in the abuse of 8-30g law which allows contractors to get away with murder.
i saw the developments near BJs go up years ago. looked all wood, complete fire nightmare in my opinion. i could never live in some place like that. unreal that this crap is legal. in NYC i picked a building with above normal fireproofing which meant cement in between units on the same floor not just the floor below and above. for one it was quieter but two it was much safer. seems no one thinks about that as a factor when renting. not only will the renters lives be at risk but so will the firefighters.
Long Island also built these apartment complexes and it takes a family member 1 – 1.5 hours to drive 7 miles every day.