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“The current Westport maintenance facility, built in 1958, is outdated and cannot adequately accommodate the modern vehicle fleet,” the story said.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Andrew Colabella and Jimmy Izzo have withdrawn — “without prejudice to the underlying or ultimate issues involved” — their request to overturn the Planning & Zoning Commission’s negative 8-24 report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 …
It’s one of 10 pilot programs in Connecticut, using cannabix tax revenues. The grant from the Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services is $57,000.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) had been working on human bird flu vaccines, but that work has been paused, Reid notes.
