Public hearing closes for Hamlet at Saugatuck

WESTPORT — The public hearing for the proposed Hamlet at Saugatuck has finally closed after six sessions, with changes to the proposed height, capacity and setbacks made along the way.

The last hearing drew comments from more than a dozen community members, many of whom were investors with positive feedback. Some residents also spoke out about the project, raising concerns about traffic and building heights.

The Hamlet at Saugatuck is a proposed development that some residents say will change the look and feel of the Saugatuck area.

ROAN Ventures, the developer, is looking to create a new zoning district that would cover general business and the Saugatuck Marina and encompass Railroad Place, Riverside Avenue, Franklin Street and Charles Street. The area is currently zoned as a general business district.

The current proposal includes about 10 buildings ranging from 40 to 65 feet in height, incorporating “bonuses” that allow for height above the allowed amount in exchange for public outdoor space.

Some proposed uses for the buildings include housing, a theater, an event space, a hotel and retail shops. ROAN is also proposing building affordable units within a quarter mile of the train station.

Eric Berhneim, the attorney representing ROAN Ventures, said the changes include the event facility can now host 300 individuals during certain times of the day, some heights of the buildings have been lowered and the affordable units will average two bedrooms.

“We’ve got eight revisions, with each one offering less building potential to the applicant than the last version,” Planning and Zoning Director Mary Young said.

Since the original iteration, the text amendment has been changed to the point where 40,000 square feet have been lost from the original proposal, commission member Neil Cohn said.

“We must recognize that it’s a give and a take, and this can be a great project for the town,” Cohn said.

He mentioned that the height is a point many bring up, and that they need to find a way to reduce the canyon effect from the buildings.

The commission closed the hearing and has several weeks to make a decision.