Water taxi idea floated at hearing in Mystic

Stonington officials seeking wish list of possible improvements for Golden Triangle area

Stonington — A water taxi, mixeduse housing, and improvements to make the area more pedestrian and bike-friendly were among the topics raised at a public forum Monday, as town officials seek comments on potential improvements to the area in Mystic known as the Golden Triangle.

Stonington Director of Planning Jason Vincent said town officials want to hear from property and business owners about their concerns for the area off Interstate 95’s Exit 90 that features Mystic Aquarium, Olde Mistick Village, and retail businesses. The area is zoned tourist commercial.

They will assess those issues and discuss them with the town’s Economic Development Commission and then return to the property and business owners with strategies, he said.

About 30 business and property owners attended the meeting, held by the Stonington Economic Development Commission at the Olde Mystick Village Meeting House, and shared comments, tackling issues from streamlining permitting to improving signage.

Mike Dunn of Dunn Associates, which owns retail properties in Mystic, recommended more flexibility in regulations to encourage new developments, as well as improvements to encourage foot traffic in the area.

“It’s going to be a challenge for people to get across these busy roads, but I think it’s something that would really improve the feel of this place: if you could park your car and walk around, and enjoy the experience,” he said.

Lisa Konicki, the president of the Ocean Community Chamber of Commerce, agreed. She said that millennials want to be able to walk everywhere and have access to villages and business districts and to use cars as little as possible and use Uber.

The community should consider incorporating in the future some type of small, mixed-use housing for millennials, she added.

William Taylor, an independent businessman, raised several ideas, including a garage, such as the vertical parking structures in New London, and a water taxi from the Old Mystic area to downtown and Mystic Seaport to alleviate parking and traffic problems.

Vincent said the water taxi idea could be a business opportunity for the private sector.

Jim Holley, who owns two businesses in Olde Mistick Village, pointed out that marketing research shows that the general consumer absorbs only about 10 percent of the information he or she sees, so signage could be enhanced while still remaining tasteful. He said that the difference between an 8-foot sign and a 12-foot sign could mean more customers noticing that establishment — and therefore more business income and tax revenue.

“We are a retail-driven and tour-

ism-driven community and we need to apply information and facts that make sense,” he said.

Kevin Bowdler, a member of the Stonington Economic Development Commission, said a goal is to hold one meeting a month in an area of town where there is an opportunity to contemporize zoning rules, as some regulations were written 30 to 40 years ago and may not be as relevant today as they were then. k.drelich@theday.com