By Thane Grauel

WESTPORT — Three properties along the Saugatuck River between the VFW post and Saugatuck Rowing Club have been re-zoned from residential to mixed use, a proposal that provoked a wave of public comments.

One, 471 Riverside Ave., was a non-commercial, 32-slip marina around for decades and, more recently, home to a displaced summer paddling club serving youth. 

The two neighboring properties, 481 and 485 Riverside Ave., are also on the river but have no docks.

The request from the marina’s owner will let the operation continue, but to make a profit while hosting the summer activities and being brought into zone conformity with neighboring parcels.

P&Z flooded with comments

The proposal for changing from Residential A to Restricted Office-Retail District 2 was not without controversy — many in the neighborhood and beyond weighed in through emails, letters and during a public hearing April 4. 

Most were in support of the marina, its owner, Robbie Guimond, and the paddling club.

Those against worried what if the property owners sold to developers? Could that mean multi-story apartment buildings or office complexes?

More than five dozen emails and letters were received by the Planning and Zoning Department.

Planning and Zoning Directory Mary Young observed at the previous hearing that more public input was received for this application than any proposal in recent years since marijuana dispensaries.

Concerns about potential development

An example of a neighbor in opposition was Mary Ellen Guzewicz of 435 Riverside Ave.

“My objection to this re-zoning is that this is a wonderful, charming and unique residential neighborhood, which could be negatively impacted by any potential development of this land, which would be possible with RORD 2 Zoning. 

“My other major concern with the re-zoning of these properties is that this section of Riverside Avenue is already a very congested intersection with heavy traffic,” she wrote before the earlier public hearing. “Traffic and congestion would only be further exacerbated by any commercial development here, which would be a negative for all residents of Westport.”

At the previous hearing, commission members voted to continue the matter and asked for a report on what kind of development might be possible under the change.

What “could” be build on the properties

The applicant’s lawyer, Eric Bernheim of FLB Law, gave a summary of those findings Monday.

“I think the biggest issue that was on the table at the last hearing was how many residential units could actually go on these sites if that were to be the decision moving forward — there’s no intention to do that at this time,” he said.

He said 471 Riverside, the marina property, “could develop up to 16 residential dwelling units of which three would need to be affordable,” Bernheim said. “There could also be up to I believe 7,500 square feet of non-residential, commercial-type space in three different buildings not to exceed 2,500 square feet.”

“As it relates to combining all three lots, there’s the potential to put up to 26 residential dwelling units, of which five would need to be affordable … in the alternative, if he were to go with commercial use, retail or office space, there could be up to six buildings not to exceed 2,500 square feet totaling approximately 15,000 square feet of space.”

“I know I’d feel better and hope that the true purpose of this is to further the family and his business, and to give access to waterfront and more marinas, which we do need,” said commission member Amie Tesler. 

Support for applicant’s “hidden gem”

Steve Carpentieri, who lives in Westport and owns Dunville’s Restaurant, spoke in support. 

“Having grown up across from the marina on Wakeman Place I always enjoyed seeing the beautiful riverfront, the Saugatuck River, being utilized,” he said.

“I don’t see any negative impact from the re-zoning of this. I believe it will give public access both to residents and non-residents … it’s a hidden gem and Robbie’s been in town for almost as long as I have been. I think it would just add to the charm of the neighborhood,” Carpentieri added.

Neal Frank, who lives near the Sherwood Mill Pond, also spoke in support Monday.

“I feel like the town is at risk of its authenticity as it relates to just being a coastal community, which is more important to some than to others, but whether it’s Allen’s Clam House or Robbie’s marina, if we’re going to look and feel and act like a true coastal community … I really think we have to preserve what’s left of that.”

The applicant, Guimond, also spoke.

“My intention is to continue what I’ve been doing here for 30 years without a target on my back,” an apparent reference to a February 2020 complaint to the Planning and Zoning Department about the paddle camp.

“I have no intentions of developing,” Guimond said. “I’ve seen what’s been going on in town with all this craziness. I’m not interested. I have young children in the school system. I’d like to continue what I’ve been doing, be profitable in it, raise my children …”

P&Z members, minus one, back proposal

Member Patrizia Zucaro noted the public opposition.

“I think their voice needs to be heard a little bit,” she said, explaining she’d vote against the application.

“I think this is the right thing to do for Saugatuck, I think this is the right thing to do for the town,” said P&Z Chairwoman Danielle Dobin.

Member Paul Lebowitz said he saw it as a consistent land use.

“It makes sense for these three lots to be more conforming with the neighboring lots,” he said. 

“Remember, it’s just a map amendment,” said member Michael Cammeyer. “Anything further would come in front of us again.”

All P&Z members, except Zucaro, voted in favor of the zone change.

Coleytown classrooms, shopping center overhaul approved

The commission also took the following actions at the meeting:

• Installation of two portable classrooms at Coleytown Elementary School was approved.
• A plan to overhaul the shopping centers at 606 and 620 Post Road East also was approved. There, Westport Hardware will move to space in another building, and Pottery Barn can relocate to the space now occupied by the hardware store.

Thane Grauel is a freelance writer and frequent contributor to Westport Journal. Learn more about us here.