The Planning & Zoning Commission meets tonight (Monday, 6 p.m., Zoom).
There is one agenda item: the Hamlet at Saugatuck. With public input closed, the P&Z is now discussing the fate of the residential/hotel/retail/event space project.
Commissioners are in the midst of a 65-day period, in which they’ll render a verdict.
Hamlet project, as seen from the Saugatuck River.
The developers — ROAN Ventures — said last month that if they do not gain approval, they would file a pre-application for an 8-30g housing development on the site. The area encompasses Riverside Avenue from Charles Street to Railroad Place, part of Railroad Place, and Charles Street from the office building to Riverside
The 8-30g proposal would include over 500 housing units. Thirty percent would be deemed affordable, under state standards.
The 70% that comprise market rate units would be a mix of condos and rentals.
Three buildings, 8 stories tall – 6 floors of housing, above 2 for parking – would be constructed on the Hamlet footprint.
And – because it’s an 8-30g development – the town would have virtually no say regarding parking, conservation or other issues.
Artists’ rendering of possible 8-30g housing.
What would that mean? Here is a comparison of the Hamlet project, and the 8-30g.
Units: 57 housing units, 57 hotel units; vs. 500+
Height: 60 feet; vs. 100 feet (current design; no limit under 8-30g)
Setbacks: Enforceable under 8-30g; vs. can go up to property line under 8-30g
Mixed use: Restaurants and retail walkng paths; vs. residential only under 8-30g
Affordability: 20% (at 80% of mean income = 14 units within 1/4 mile; vs. 30% (15% at 80% mean income, plus 15% at 60% mean)
Architectural design: Yes; vs. no under 8-30g
Artists’ rendering of The Hamlet at Saugatuck.
Sightline to river: Yes; vs. no
River access: Yes; vs. no
Marina: Public access with transient spots; vs. no marina required under 8-30g
Parking: Underground to preserve look and space; vs. above ground under 8-30g (no minimal requirements)
Traffic improvements: Upgrades, including traffic lights and turning; vs. no traffic upgrades required under 8-30g
Proposed traffic improvements, in the Hamlet plan.
Remediation: Will remove soil and remediate land; vs. only cap soil while leaving toxins under 8-30g
Drainage: Improvements, including filtering; vs. no drainage plan required under 8-30g
Sewer use: 114 total keys online (57 + 57); vs. 500+ units may require additional expenses
Tax revenues: $6 million+ added to Grand List; vs. could generate more costs than revenue under 8-30g
School costs and impact: Minimal impact from 57 units; vs. likely large impact from 500+ units
Police Department: Minimal impact from 57 units; vs. greater impact from 500+ units
Fire Department: Fire chief signed off on fire lanes; vs. new equipment may be needed under 8-30g
Connectivity to Main Street: Shuttle provided; vs. no connectivity under 8-30g
Walkability: Mixed use, with boardwalk connection to Gault development; vs. no river access likely under 8-30g
Community use: Marina, paths, kids’ club, local food court; vs. not required under 8-30g.
Proposed event space, above Luciano Park.