By Ken Valenti

WESTPORT–Spinnaker Real Estate Partners continued to adjust its proposal for a residential development at 606 Riverside Ave. at the Architectural Review Board last night, talking about facades, height and other aspects of the project.

The new plans lower the height by three feet to about 70 feet. A long façade along Charles Street would feature three sections of different types of brick separated by recesses of glass and darker material for contrast, said Seelan Pather, of Beinfield Architecture.

“Everything we’re doing here is mirroring what’s around us,” Pather told the ARB at the meeting in Town Hall.

The 165-unit development is proposed on 1.54 acres – more than half of the Saugatuck site that would have been occupied by the Hamlet development rejected last year by the Planning and Zoning Commission.

Spinnaker owner Matthew Edvardsen said the developers are in contract for a property at Riverside Avenue and Railroad Place, and are considering move a house there to create a plaza. That would complement another open space announced earlier at Charles Street and Riverside Avenue, Pather said.

“Now you can get some energy on that street,” Pather said.

Board member Vesna Herman suggested considering further changes.

“Is there any possibility for you to use more of those recesses on Charles Street side?” she asked. 

Pather said they could try when they return to the board. As one example, a brick façade planned at Charles Street and Riverside Avenue could become clapboard instead.

Spinnaker has been navigating the town pre-approvals process since June, adding an open corner plaza, increasing setbacks and reducing the number of proposed units by 10. It still faces obstacles. Some members of the Planning and Zoning Commission oppose the developer’s plan to designate 10% of the units as affordable, instead of the 20% generally required.

Ken Valenti

^{_{A career journalist and lifelong resident of the New York City region, Ken Valenti has enjoyed decades of reporting local, regional and national news in New York and Connecticut. Topics of special interest are development, the environment, Long Island Sound and transportation. When not reporting, he’s always on the lookout for the perfect coffee shop or used book sale.}}