Editor’s note: Following is an opinion submitted by Westporter Dara Lamb.
ROAN is back—appealing P&Z’s rightful denial of its incomplete Hamlet plan—and continuing their threat of an outsized, Stalin-Esque 100-foot high 8-30g project. They’re cowardly smearing The Westport Alliance for Saugatuck by pretending their threat was our fault and misappropriating our name.
The REAL Alliance of Westport is the voice of our residents who are too smart for this blame game. They see it for what it is. A temper tantrum, marketing ploy and negotiating tactic.
Who We Are
Six months ago, residents from every corner of town—parents, commuters, small-business owners—came together to oppose ROAN’s dense, urbanized Hamlet proposal. Concerns ranged from choking traffic and lost commuter parking to environmental and public safety risks.
From those meetings, The Westport Alliance for Saugatuck was born. We now represent over 5,000 residents—multi-partisan, multi-generational—united for smart development that strengthens Westport without sacrificing its character or safety.
Who ROAN Is
Actions reveal character:
- Bait and Switch: Sold quaint 2022 renderings to pass their zoning change, then unveiled an oversized urban plan.
- Evasion: Refused a scale model, submitted flawed traffic studies, and disguised noncompliance in their architectural plans.
- Retaliation: Withdrew historical preservation, public amenities and parking when asked to meet setbacks.
- Fiscal Recklessness: Exhausted funding (said they couldn’t afford a model) and now dangle an outsized 8-30G designed for leverage they know would be mired in litigation.
- Arrogance: ROAN repeatedly ignored regulations and the advice of town and state officials, the ARB and P&Z to modify their plan and meet requirements. Instead, they selfishly consumed town resources, caused commissions to rush their reviews and caused delays to other applications. When urged to withdraw and refile, they adamantly refused.
It’s Not a Binary Choice
ROAN wants you to believe it’s their way or their Gulag. This is false. Saugatuck can have green space, riverfront access, housing (both affordable and market rate), retail, and offices—without crippling traffic, parking shortages, or safety hazards – all while making attractive returns for a developer and investors. But this takes an experienced developer with a track record we can trust, who listens and works with residents.
We’re Not Going Anywhere
For many important reasons, Westport’s Planning and Zoning Commission denied ROAN’s application. Together, we stopped the Hamlet. Together, we can do it again. If ROAN moves forward with their oversized 8-30G application – to bully the town into caving to their demands – we are confident it also will ultimately be denied for many of the same good reasons. Would ROAN have the staying power, and its investors have the appetite for a potentially years-long battle, to include an inevitable Superior Court appeal? One thing is certain: throughout this process, the Westport Alliance will assure the voice of the public is heard.
What’s Next
- Though P&Z is in August recess, a hastily scheduled executive session took place Thursday afternoon with less than 24 hours’ notice. The Westport Alliance issued an immediate protest. Numerous RTM’s called and emailed support of our protest. What took place? Negotiations may already be underway.
- Press for and support our town’s strong legal defense of ROAN’s Hamlet denial appeal. Urge town officials to stay firm in any negotiation.
- The P&Z returns to session in September. We urge supporters to demand P&Z revise the flawed text amendment immediately.
- Challenges to the Flood and Erosion and Conservation Rulings. Committee meetings are scheduled for September 11th and 15th and a final RTM vote on September 25th. We urge supporters to attend and email RTMs and selectmen. Also, request the RTM consider those observing the Jewish High Holidays and reschedule this critical environmental vote.
Join Us
Our work has been fueled by volunteer hours and a strong core of donors. If you believe Westport’s future should be shaped by its residents—not a failing developer—help us finish this fight.
We will not be bullied. We will not be silenced. We will win. Westport will win.
Dara Lamb
The (REAL) Westport Alliance for Saugatuck
“Executive session” is just another pointy-headed bureaucratic attempt at covering things up, keeping voters in the dark, and subverting democracy.
I hope someone who attended has the courage to reveal what is going on behind these closed doors—out of sight doesn’t have to mean out of mind.
This is some lame bullshit.
Phone a friend.
I agree with everything that Dara Lamb wrote on behalf of the Westport Alliance for Saugatuck.
With this note, I’d like to shed further light on the point that it is not a binary choice between Roan’s oversized and unfeasible “luxury” development, and their oversized and unfeasible, 400 unit apartment complex. There are other developers in the region who would seek the middle ground, “the center lane”, where the town, its’ residents and the developer achieve a workable and rightsized development plan for the future of Westport’s Saugatuck neighborhood.
Whether that happens in Saugatuck in part depends on the owners of the land where Roan proposed building what they inappropriately call “the Hamlet” (real Hamlets don’t have paid, stacked, valet operated underground parking).
As a refresher on the original filings from 2 – 1/2 years ago, the Hamlet Project would include eight or nine properties that Roan planned to collectively purchase. Below is a list (not complete) indicating addresses and owners of properties that were re-zoned in the 2022 Text Amendment.
# 2 Railroad Place ((owned by Railroad Place of Westport LLC)
#16 Railroad Place (owned by Hanes Realty Corp)
#36 Railroad Place (owned by Tiger Wynn LLC)
#40 Railroad Place (owned by Hanes Realty Corp)
#601 Riverside Avenue (owned by Robert Sloat)
#606 Riverside Avenue ((owned by Hanes Realty Corp)
#609 Riverside Avenue (owned by TGN Properties)
#21 Riverside Avenue (owned by Robert Sloat)
Based on current town records, Roan has not closed on any of these properties. What they have are purchase options, and the rumor is that those options expire in September.
I am not privy to the contracts, or buy / sell arrangements that all of these owners have with Roan. But I would say at this point, that if I was one of those property owners, I would think long and hard about extending further options to this developer team. They have no track record, and show no understanding that the center lane and the middle ground is where deals get done.
Sincerely,
Rick Smilow
Westport, CT
What shall we believe about Roan?
Roan’s track record is difficult to document, but my first hand experience is that they are skilled in exaggeration and marketing chutzpah.
A stroll through the public information available for Roan, White Roan and their partner Akoya Hospitality shows a deep bench of pretty pictures of global luxury resorts.
Their involvement in any of these is highly ambiguous.. If I were on the PZC I might interview them more deeply on their actual planning, development and asset management experience. If you want an example, read my adendum below.
The Executive Session
While the PZC notice period may be questionable, an executive session to discuss pending litigation is perfectly appropriate and legal. I would NOT expect the plaintiffs to be included in that meeting. If that were the case, I have more questions.
Addendum on Roan “Projects”
Caneel Bay in St. John USVI is listed as one of the White Roan “projects.” This resort is situated within the US National Park there. The US NPS owns the property. The resort was completely destroyed by hurricanes in 2017 and to this day lies in ruins.
The US NPS is in finally stages of selecting a developer to rebuild the 166-room resort. They have not released the identities of the potential developers who submitted RFQs, and who will likely get a 60 year lease on about half of the 150 beachfront acres. The prior developer/operator of the resort is CBIA/EHI, affiliated with Stoneleigh Capital, not Roan.
All of this is to conclude:
Why is this resort listed as a Roan project? What about the dozens of other projects in their experience portfolio? What shall we believe about this developer?