Don O’Day is a former Board of Education chair. He led the Coleytown Middle School renovation, and currently serves on the Representative Town Meeting (RTM) and Long Lots School Building Committee.
Andrea Moore is Westport’s 2nd selectwoman. She is a former Board of Finance vice chair and former RTM member.
They are running on the Republican ticket for the Board of selectmen. In the wake of last night’s Planning & Zoning Commission decision on The Hamlet at Saugatuck, they say:
ROAN Ventures’ proposal to build a mixed-use waterfront development called The Hamlet was denied by the Planning & Zoning Commission last night.
This has been a long and difficult process — for Westport residents, the P&Z, and ROAN Ventures. But make no mistake: Last night’s decision by the P&Z is not the end of the road. Far from it.
The Hamlet plan was denied last night. But discussion of what comes next for Saugatuck will continue.
Westport’s leaders, property owners and residents must now consider the next steps. The O’Day–Moore campaign for selectmen sees two:
The applicant withdraws and resubmits a new Hamlet proposal.
This is our preferred outcome.
Very often, a denial — however frustrating — is simply one step on the road to a mutually agreeable solution. Come November, Westport will have new members and leadership across our local government. With new faces may come fresh thinking, and new ideas should be on the table. Thoughtful suggestions recently offered by several respected members of the community deserve serious evaluation.
Let’s also acknowledge that developers seek a return on investment. Investor profitability isn’t about greed; it is a basic reality of business — but by no means guaranteed. It is why people risk personal capital.
The O’Day–Moore campaign views this moment not as a final rejection, but as an opportunity to move forward constructively, with the knowledge that development in the Saugatuck area is a positive outcome. Importantly, the O’Day–Moore pledge is that all development must consider the myriad concerns raised by residents during the many hearings held on this issue.
The applicant moves ahead with a large-scale 8-30g project.
We hope this does not happen.
First and foremost, threats — explicit or implied — make resolution harder. We urge a tone of collaboration, not confrontation.
As we all know, Connecticut’s 8-30g statute allows developers to bypass local zoning regulations in towns where less than 10% of housing is considered affordable. A massive 8-30g development in Saugatuck could place significant strain on Westport’s infrastructure—particularly our schools, roads and other vital services.
One possible 8-30g proposal for Saugatuck.
ROAN Ventures’ Hamlet proposal was not presented under the terms of the 8-30g statute. Therefore, it went through a robust local process where zoning protections applied.
Losing local control through a state override is not in our town’s best interest.
Let us be clear: Affordable housing must be part of Westport’s future. If elected, the O’Day–Moore team is committed to working with the Planning & Zoning Commission to promote an affordable housing provision in town and a cohesive zoning plan for Westport.
On Traffic: Let’s Try Solutions — Now
Traffic in Saugatuck is a known and daily frustration. Commuters rushing to or from the train experience it. So do parents, business owners and visitors.
Interestingly, the Hamlet proposal included ideas to reduce congestion while adding density — something that may sound counterintuitive but merits exploration. Proposals such as smart traffic-light management (via remote monitoring), converting one-way streets to two-way, or other design tweaks deserve immediate consideration.
If we can implement even a few of these ideas and they help — why wait?
ROAN Ventures offered several ideas for traffic mitigation and improvement.
A Path Forward
Reopening this discussion will require a willingness to begin again — by both sides. A reassessment period makes sense. Then let’s return to the table with a shared goal: smart planning for Westport’s future.
Let’s find a collaborative path forward.
