Westport Alliance for Saugatuck
Advocating for thoughtful, right sized and forward-thinking development in Saugatuck.
Advocating for thoughtful, right sized and forward-thinking development in Saugatuck.
YOU CAN Stop Saugatuck from becoming Stamford!
A $250M mega-development -- the largest In town history -- with buildings taller than the 95 overpass Is being rushed through town approvals.
MORE TRAFFIC! BIG EVENTS! LESS RAILROAD PARKING!
The small-town charm you love is in danger. Act NOW! Join 1600+ neighbors and sign the petition to stop Saugatuck Village from becoming an urban center.
Please donate here to fund the effort to stop this oversized development.
Upcoming Meetings! (schedules subject to change, we will update as frequently as possible)
First Selectman Discussion Debate hosted by Westport Journal (register here): Thursday, Oct 16 @ 6:30p (doors open at 6p) @ Greens Farms Academy - Info here
A Seat at the Selectman's Table (free ticketed event): Tuesday, Oct 21 @ 6pm - Westport Library - "An Open Discussion with Westport's Candidates for First Selectman"
Yet TBD: Meeting or hearings regarding ROAN Development's appeal of Planning and Zoning's July denial of their application.
Immediate actions you can take:
Click this link to Email First Selectwoman Jen Tooker and the Board of Selectwomen. Tell them there are too many unsolved traffic, public safety and RR parking problems for this project to go ahead. Demand an updated, unbiased traffic study be done by the town.
The mission of the Westport Alliance for Saugatuck is to advocate for thoughtful, right sized, forward-thinking development in in/around Saugatuck—that enhances quality of life while addressing critical concerns like traffic congestion and public safety.
We believe in balancing growth with infrastructure improvements, ensuring development respects the town’s sense of place, improve mobility, and prioritize the well-being of residents, businesses, and visitors alike.
In late 2022, the Westport P&Z Commission agreed to a Text Amendment to proposed by Roan Development to “upzone” the zoning standard for that area and create the General Business District/Saugatuck Marina (GBD/SM).
THE INCREASE WAS ALMOST 800%. This means that if on a given piece of land, a developer could build 8x the mass of what is currently within the area.
The proposed redevelopment of Saugatuck, “The Hamlet”, will, if approved, dramatically change our community. The 2023 zoning text amendment, created for this development, allows for an 800% increase in density.
The site plan includes 11 buildings, up to 70' high, located along the river (riverfront side) and on the large block fronted by Railroad Avenue with shops, restaurants and RR drop off points, all the way to Charles Street (upland side). To put this height and mass in perspective, at their highest points, many buildings will be at or above the height of the I95 overpass.
It's too big!
The riverfront hotel includes four buildings with 57 hotel rooms [p10 of application], event space (for up to 300-500 people), an underground parking lot below the water line, whose entrance will be just after the sharp left turn at the end of Ferry lane, potentially causing lengthy back-ups and safety hazards. Even though Saugatuck has recently experienced an increase in serious auto accidents, including a fatality.
The upland side (the block between Charles, Franklin, Riverside and RR Place) includes 6 buildings with 57 high-end condos, as well as shops, an event center, spa, private club, underground (valet controlled) parking garages. The plan includes removing public parking spaces, taking over public-owned land for loading and unloading commercial trucks. To be viable, the plan relies on using commuter parking, making it harder for you to find a space.
TRAFFIC! and PARKING
The plan will create new traffic chokeholds, exacerbate existing traffic issues, and create congestion that could delay emergency vehicles and will surely negatively affect the quality of life for Westporters from every district - especially districts north and east of the Metro-North station who will experience long delays entering and leaving the area. The plans do not provide adequate parking for the planned usage and take away current free parking.
Scale and Density
Additionally, the increased scale and density is likely to create environmental concerns, flooding issues with potential contamination of the river and Harbor.
It does not address our affordable housing mandate.
Importantly, rather than being built to address Westport’s current affordable housing shortfall, this plan makes our town’s shortfall worse - offering only 14 off-site units whose location has not been secured. According to the developer's attorney "These units will not come on-line for over 3 years, it will have to be updated before finalized...The units are going to be offsite and per the anticipated approval, we will come back to advise where they are going to be located." [source]
It sacrifices Westport's unique appeal as a charming small New England coastal community
Finally, this plan does not meet the stated goal of Westport retaining its unique appeal because of its New England small town charm. The size and scale of the proposed development does not fit Westport.
It's a Marina District without a Marina!
Although this area was designated a Marina District, a marina is not included in the current site plan, therefore public access to the riverfront and a marina is uncertain. A future marina with water taxis to other developments on several Norwalk Islands has been proposed, potentially adversely affecting waterway traffic and safety.
It is impossible for the public, the P&Z, town commissions, and the RTMs to fully understand the size, scope, look and feel of the Hamlet because the developer has not provided anyone with a scale model, or complete set of street elevations.
This development is proceeding too fast, without adequate input from the public, whose lives in Westport will be changed by it forever.
Who is Joining the Alliance ? We are a group of residents representing all lifestages and tenure in Westport.
Join our email distribution group - email Westport Alliance for Saugatuck to learn more.
HELPFUL DOCUMENTS:
Link to Westport Planning & Zoning Pending Applications Page ("Hamlet at Saugatuck: 601, 606, 609 Riverside Ave; 14, 60 Railroad Place; 91, 96 Franklin Street - Special Permit/Coastal Site Plan Appl. #PZ-25-00067")
Traffic Study: Link to Peer Review of applicant's Traffic Study
Environmental Study
Peer Review Response ("While we feel Loureiro did sufficiently respond to our peer review comments, the community still has concerns and questions regarding the current environmental conditions at the properties subject to the redevelopment and the planned remediation. While only a few questions were asked, we foresee the environmental conditions being a point of focus as the public meetings and hearings continue.")
MEDIA COVERAGE: