The following is an open letter to First Selectwoman Jennifer Tooker, submitted for publication by Rick Smilow, a member of the Westport Alliance for Saugatuck.

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First Selectwoman Tooker:

Four or so years ago, your campaign to be First Selectwoman proposed that you would make tackling and improving Westport’s traffic issues a key priority and goal. Unfortunately, after many years in office, my understanding is that you have done hardly anything to address traffic.

Now, in your formal role as the “local traffic authority,” your office can play a key role in shining a light on the traffic issues that would be associated with the Hamlet – the $250+ million dollar, largest construction project in Westport’s history.

I propose that you immediately authorize – on behalf of all of your constituents – a proper, complete, professional traffic study of the ramifications of the Hamlet development.  This study should take into account the Hiawatha Lane apartment complex under construction, and changes coming to the Cribari Bridge. A proper study could be done for $10,000 to $20,000.

A proper study is crucial, because the one study the P&Z has been presented, is totally deficient.

That is because:

• The developer’s traffic study and proposed solutions are based on Covid-era data, and do not reflect current or projected conditions.
• The peer reviewer, Mr. Kalluri, stated he could not adequately establish traffic patterns and loads from the site plan, and had to rely on the developer’s data.
• The applicant has failed to provide detailed info on the capacity, crowd patterns, and plans associated with the event space in their proposed “Barn” building (whose current design rendering looks like a 1930’s factory).

And related, Mr. Kalluri let it be known that he has other projects to present to Westport’s P&Z, for other developers. Is that a conflict of interest?  Maybe or maybe not. But why should we settle for a “maybe”?

Further, the Hamlet developer proposes an entrance to their luxury hotel’s underground parking facility extremely close to a busy, tight, sharp curve by the Railroad Place Metro North train underpass. As has been pointed out again and again by some P&Z Commissioners, this is not a good or safe location for a hotel garage entry and exit.  And it was not part of any past traffic study.

Lastly, the developer promises to require Hamlet business employees to park off site and take the train to work. This is not practical, realistic, or enforceable.

Jennifer, please show some leadership!  Authorize a professional, comprehensive, independent, up-to-date traffic study that illuminates the ramifications of building the massive project that the developer is proposing.

Rick Smilow