Dear Westport Journal and friends,
I am opposed to the Hamlet project in Saugatuck and plan to sign the Westport Alliance for Saugatuck’s petition in opposition to it.
I am not, nor is the Alliance, against improving the area. Development is inevitable and not necessarily a bad thing. Some in our community, however, feel that they have no alternative but to support the Hamlet because the alternative could be an application for an 8-30g affordable housing project. I would prefer that Westport provide affordable housing for people who contribute to our community, such as police, firefighters, and teachers. These workers make less than the annual income cut-off amount for affordable housing eligibility of approximately $110,000.
I believe that housing with parking provided for people who live in Westport is far preferable to providing valet-only, tiered underground parking for out-of-towners staying in high-end hotel suites. Affordable housing is preferable to retail shops, offices, and expensive condos with valet-only, stacked, underground parking. It is far better than building a 300-seat entertainment center with who knows what kind of parking arrangements.
Additionally, the project will clog the feeder streets (Riverside, Ferry Lane, Charles, and Franklin) with an endless stream of delivery trucks (regardless of rules trying to regulate deliveries to the contrary) making them noisy for residents and unsafe for pedestrians and bikers. The developer’s representations that the re-timing of a few lights, the addition of a traffic circle, and some other minor roadside improvements will make things better is utter nonsense.
Where are the 650+/- employees who will service this undertaking going to park? The representation by the developer that the employees will use only commuter trains is an absurd assumption. The further representation that employees will not apply for RR parking permits and deprive NYC commuters of parking access is at best optimistic and frankly naïve.
The project will effectively cut off Saugatuck Shores from the rest of town. There is only one small bridge crossing the Saugatuck River in that area providing access to and from the Compo area. Imagine if an ambulance needs to get to Norwalk Hospital or a firetruck is called to the scene.
And, when the developers are gone, who is going to run this complex of mixed use? Who is going to enforce P&Z requirements? Who is going to provide a reliable (and critical) valet service running 24/7? Most likely, the management of the Hamlet will be divided among the stake holders and when things break down (e.g., the flooding of the underground garages filled with cars), the finger-pointing will be endless.
The Hamlet is trying to push a square peg into a round hole and I vigorously oppose its development.
Ken Bernhard
11 Woods Grove Rd, Westport
G. Kenneth Bernhard is an attorney who has been active in Westport’s community affairs for more than 50 years. During that time he has served as Westport’s town attorney, a member of the ZBA, and as Third Selectman. Ken was elected to be Westport’s State Representative in Hartford from 1997 to 2006. He is a board member of the Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation and Fairfield County House.
Wow. Spot on, Mr. B.
Thank you, Mr. Bernhard, for your reasonable commentary on this most unreasonable project. There is one day left for public comment. I hope the P&Z is still open to debate on this subject. I fear being cut off from the town as I live in Saugatuck Shores.
If anyone reading this has an opinion on The Hamlet, write to the P&Z commissioners at pandz@westportct.gov. They really do read the letters. Thank you Commissioners
“Politics consists of choosing between the disastrous and the unpalatable ” John Kenneth Galbraith
For the reasons Attorney Bernhard cites, and more, the McHamlet investors, promoters and enablers have the lenses reversed.
I agree that the area near the train station could use an upgrade, you have a fun row of restaurants followed by a bit of nothing which I doubt anyone would argue is a bit of an eyesore. However, when considering what has been proposed, with the size and increase in traffic and delivery trucks (try getting through Saugatuck when a commuter train drops off in the evening on a regular night and add in a frequent slow down/lane closure on 95 on top of that) it simply DOES NOT make sense. In the recent discussion with Dan Woog, when asked, why not “scale it back?” The Roan representative only noted that, technically, we could have made it even bigger. What also surprises me is that so many residents in Westport are unaware of the impact this will have on their daily commute into NYC. I implore all Westport residents who commute into NYC from the train station to educate yourselves and make your voices heard before it is too late. The final day of public input is this week. We cannot speak loudly enough.
I fully concur! Thank you for writing this, as I am a resident who will be cut off from Westport. Honestly, I find it less time to loop through Norwalk to come back into Westport many days.
The question does remain- how can Roan say all 640 employees (as stated on their Brownfield application) will use mass transit?? We all know how inconsistent Metro North is, so how can these employees be expected to use it??! Sounds asinine to think all will use a train, and arrive at work happily on time. Come on Roan, we’re not that stupid! Furthermore, though there are some that question the petition signers who are against the Hamlet- it’s growing!! 1,412 people have signed, and don’t want this in town! We are not alone! P&Z should separate themselves from the creator of this text amendment, and vote no. We don’t need these massive buildings in our small town.
I hope our leaders hear what he’s saying. Wise words from one of Westport’s wisest men.
Thank you, Attorney Bernard, for commenting on one of the most significant developments in our town’s history. Given your extensive experience on land issues and your service to Westport, I hope others will take note and write to pandz@westportct.gov before public comment is closed tomorrow.
Commissioner Neil Cohn and other supporters have recommended we move forward with this application for fear of an 8-30g development. Westporters must know that The Hamlet project does NOTHING to change Westport’s legal obligation under 8-30g and offers no meaningful protection for the town. The development does not stop other developers from filing 8-30g applications – nor does it give the town any new authority to reject them. Westport remains subject to 8-30g until at least 10% of our housing stock qualifies as affordable under state definitions. The Hamlet project adds only a small number of affordable units and falls well short of helping the town reach that threshold. The project doesn’t get us closer to a moratorium or long-term relief. It simply adds density without leverage. If anything, approving The Hamlet sends a signal that Westport is willing to accommodate large-scale, “ultra-luxury” without addressing the state mandate and our recognized need for affordable housing in town.
Thank you Mr. Bernhard. Perfectly summarized and stated.
(Also, thanks for your spot on comment, Char Valante: “The project … simply adds density without leverage.”)
Again, fear tactics from this so-called alliance who seem disconnected from reality. Your ability to use misinformation to push your agenda is right out of a MAGA handbook, and such a disservice to the community, I wonder why Ken didn’t stop this devastating state law while in Hartford? I watched the LLS hearings, (different issue but fitting here). A Commissioner made a statement that resonated: if you repeat something enough times and loudly, it almost becomes true. Want the facts? Then watch the P+Z here on this town link at about 1:05 minutes in…. it tells the story.
https://play.champds.com/westportct/event/299
Robbie,
Unfortunately for the hamlet, it’s not just the alliance who object to it.
It is, in my estimation, 90-95% of all residents.
I don’t think we are remotely disconnected from reality, on the contrary I believe the investors, and friend n family are who need a reality check, before this gets built and fails.
To make this work you’d need to remove all parking from commuters and give it to the hamlet, even then they would be under parked. No commuter is going to stand by and allow that to happen.
The CTDOT will not allow it.
At any moment they can pull the railroad parking contract they have with Westport if they sniff commuter abuse, or for that matter affordable housing abuse.
They might even permit the use a couple of their railroad lots to build affordable housing.
It is a delicate balance.
The building of offsite affordable housing is seen as segregation. An attempt to create a them and us.
It is not a good look.
He is fresh air, Ken Bernhard is. Thoughtful, understanding and smart. Sadly, there are those, a small minority of financially interested persons who believe in monster isms because that is what the Hamlot project represents to the average Westporter who just wants to catch a train to get to work.
Please, I beg of you, the town commissioners, deny this application before you — it represents everything that is wrong. Not only does it force out working class folks but it promotes an arrogant swankyness, a perspective upon the world thats says, we are better than you because we have money. This is not inline with Westport values.
Westporters, some of whom have some bucks but we dont flaunt it because we have come from humble backgrounds. At least my mother was an orphan and we worked our way up to Westport. But when we got there it was all about paying back, not swilling back at the country club.
The vision of the hamlot is gross. And not only that, it doesn’t make sense.
Fix the traffic and put in a green park by the river.
Think in terms of use-cases. Its easy, make a box that says train station, whats the next box…parking…then, transportation…. hamlot destroys what Saugatuck is for, its function for Westport.
Robbie
Thank you for posting the link to that important P&Z meeting. It was a very good refresher of what the fundamental issues, fears and assertions are. As always, Danielle was articulate, thoughtful and straightforward in explaining her perspectives.
However, besides listening to a line of investors who repeat their asserted dusinterest in making a profit, I hope hope that Mr. Smilow’s and Mr. Ramone’s concerns and perspectives are given just consideration.
When you reference fear tactics, misinformation, and repetative lies, I don’t know what you are referring to. The threat of traffic congestion? The threat of ginormous 8-30g projects? No need to disparage Attorney Bernhard when making your points.
The biggest problem is that there is no concrete alternative before us with which to compare amc choose. The only counterweight is the specter of a “worse” 8-30g development akin to the monstrosities Danielle references.
In my opinion, civic planning under an imagined Demiclese sword is the only reason we are at this juncture. As such, for now, the boogeyman man has provided Roan with all the aces in the deck.
While it is commendable that Roan seems to have made some concessions (although that has been questioned) no doubt that this project is just too big – and under other circumstances not what most Westport residents (especially Saugatuck inhabitants) desire for our community.
Whatever propaganda the investors may promote, the essence is that Roan realized and then capitalized on an opportunity presented by 8-30g fear and seized it. AND with a degree of confidence, they can assert that they are doing Westport a favor
by displacing 8-30g developers away from that area.
Several years ago extraordinary effort and consideration created a Saugatuck redevelopment plan consistent with what Westport wanted. It’s unfortunate that Roan, or some other developers, didn’t run with that. As I recall, Roan stated that document was considered but discarded because it wasn’t financially advantageous for their investors. As I recall, their profit requirements were not divulged and not negotiable. Not a surprise.
Whether or not a scaled back, truly New England style redevelopment is financially possible may now never be known as Roan refuses to entertain that,and no other proposals have been brought to light.
Whether or not an 8-30g developer would wreak havoc in the area (actualizing Danielle’s nightmare) or be more reasonable will also never be known.
What is for certain: For good reason, “fear” is abundant on both sides of this issue. THAT is never a good position to be in.
However unless there are more concrete answers to the existing fears and concerns, final decisions are certain to be (and have already been) predicated on this.
Attorney Bernhard is a respected friend and his words ring true. What is missing from this discussion and decisionmaking is a concrete alternative to Roan’s proposal.
If denied, what WILL the next step be?
We need to know that with a degree of certainty rather than fear based speculation.
Perhaps at this late juncture there is only one way to find out… and how many residents want to find out?
Hello Jay, at a minimum, in my view, there would be 600 residential units valued at over $2 million each. Out of these Condos, 120 units would be classified as affordable—though whether they can truly be considered affordable is questionable.
Imagine over 1,000+ residents commuting during morning and evening rush hours. the strain on KHS, the unrestricted building heights and the absence of mandatory off-street parking—where will all those cars go?
Envision zero public waterfront engagement, we already have a glimpse of that with Saugatuck Center, which offers merely two picnic tables—hardly any meaningful engagement.
The T.O.D study from over decade ago was substandard then and is even more outdated now, which explains why not one developer showing interest.
While the mixed-use plan presented by Roan is not perfect, it remains the best proposal we have seen thus far.
Any developer observing the resistance to this application will likely resort to a state-backed application, and this so-called alliance will be to blame.
These are privately-owned properties, and there is zero need for the owners to comply with outside preferences.
Ken, having held a position in Hartford, could have addressed issues like 8-30g, hence my question.
If this blighted area were located on the island or in Stony Point, the same individuals would have complained until it was cleaned up. Rember the Chipper B? I do!
I find it somewhat offensive that someone who resides on quiet street miles away, welcomes entirely residential developments in my neighborhood. I wonder how an 8-30g proposal on his street or on the island would be received.
Hope all is well.
Robbie,
There’s no 8-30g going in there. The anvailable building sites are too costly.
I’ve spoken with developers who build 8-30g. They have no interest.
Over priced.
And going forward after this fiasco I do not think anyone in town will vote for any PZ commissioner who will allow off site affordable going forward.
That was a massive mistake.
It was just massive coups for developers. 8-30g does not want off site affordable. They want everyone in together..
So units built from now on will have all the affordable on site and mixed in.. in other words, no segregating the elitists from the working class.
The affordable units will have to be equal size, equal everything.
Access to any and all amenities. Same priveledges for everyone. A 2 million dollar unit of 2,000 square feet and 3 beds.
An affordable in the same building of 2,000 square feet and 3 bedrooms.
That’s just it. 8-30g regs.
So again nobody’s building that in Saugatuck because properties are now grossly over priced thanks to the text ammendment.
And nobody buying a 2 million dollar unit is winging it with trying to get a parking permit and then having to wonder where or if they will find a parking spot amongst the other commuter parking permit holders.
So there is zero doubt that the units wouldn’t sell without 2 reserved parking spots each.
Back to the parking problem !
There’s no way around it.
It’s the reality of that area.
The majority of Westport knows it.
As for water, and new marina. We will believe that when we see it. They can keep loudly talking about “a” marina but the proof of the pudding is in the eating.
As of right now there’s no permit to build it.
And a pre app means nothing.
You know that as well as I do.
This kind of development belongs in Dubai. Or Texas where there’s a ton of land. Not in teeny tiny Saugatuck.
This is not the hamlet at Saugatuck. It is Saugatuck at the hamlet.
I find it perplexing that people think it is perfectly fair to have affordable housing mandated in the same building as the one some dumb schlub is paying market price for. This will end when people reject that commie notion of fairness and say no thanks, I am not paying thousands more than someone getting the exact same unit as me. Once again, live where you can afford to live until you can afford better.
Todd, I love your thoughtful comment. It echoes the values of so many of us. And I certainly agree with Ken Bernard.
Too big , will not work, and pilfers railroad parking from commuters.
Westport was never ostentatious and elitist.
It’s why people move here.
If we wanted to be in Stamford, we could all sell our homes and move there.
Ken Bernhard for First Selectman.