By John Schwing

WESTPORT — Plans for one of the largest — and most controversial — projects in town history face public scrutiny this week at a special in-person meeting of the Planning and Zoning Commission.

“The Hamlet at Saugatuck,” proposed by ROAN Ventures, is a sweeping proposal to develop the Saugatuck riverside neighborhood with buildings — some as tall as five stories — to house a mix of residential, retail and restaurant uses, including a hotel.

And, in a marked transition from its online meeting format since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic more than two years ago, the P&Z will conduct a public hearing — in person —  on those plans at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 2, in Town Hall’s auditorium, 110 Myrtle Ave.

On the table will be discussion of Text Amendment 819 and Map Amendment #820, both of which first must be approved before any specific site plans for development — roughly between Railroad Place, Franklin Street, Charles Street and the Saugatuck River — can move forward. (***Note: The official meeting notice posted on the town website, as of Sunday, had the incorrect day for the P&Z meeting. It is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 2.)

The meeting also can be watched online via the town’s livestream video portal.

The project has generated strong — and sharply divided — reactions.

The two local political parties focused primarily on land-use and planning issues, Save Westport Now and the Coalition for Westport, have taken opposing stances on “The Hamlet.” Save Westport Now wants the plans, in their current form, rejected, while the Coalition for Westport is strongly supportive.

And more than 70 letters, with divergent views about the project, have been emailed to the Planning and Zoning Department staff. Click here, and scroll to the Map Amendment 820 heading, to read those letters and other filings regarding the application.

The P&Z’s decision to hold an in-person hearing on the Hamlet at Saugatuck proposal comes after members’ discussion in September about the merits of online Zoom meetings versus in-person sessions.

The discussion was initiated by commission member Patrizia Zucaro, who said she heard from some people who felt proceedings of the P&Z’s online meetings sometimes proved challenging to follow.

Other members, however, pointed out that Zoom meetings often were “virtually” attended by more citizens than would have come to Town Hall, particularly those sessions where one issue might consume several hours prior to an agenda item that others might want to comment on.

John Schwing, the Westport Journal consulting editor, has held senior editorial and writing posts at southwestern Connecticut media outlets for four decades. Learn more about us here.