ROAN Ventures seeks to force approval through state's 8-30g regulations for a project that could add hundreds of apartments in Saugatuck.
WESTPORT, CT — Westport development company ROAN Ventures, which recently saw its massive Hamlet project in Saugatuck denied by the Westport Planning and Zoning Commission, announced Friday that it intends to move forward with a development application under the state's 8-30g affordable housing statutes.
"My client is very disappointed with the Commission’s denial of The Hamlet, especially after working with the Commission and Town on The Hamlet over a long period of time," said attorney Chris Smith, who represents ROAN Ventures, in a statement. "However, my client understands that Westport has been receptive to residential communities with housing opportunity components in the past. My client looks forward to working with the Commission and Town in moving forward with a comprehensive proposal that promotes housing opportunities for the citizens of Westport in the Saugatuck neighborhood."
Details of the new proposal were not disclosed, but ROAN Ventures could pursue a complex with as many as 500 apartments, according to Smith.
The Hamlet, Smith claimed, was "a thoughtful and community-focused mixed-use development, [which] represents a significant missed opportunity for Westport."
He added that despite The Hamlet's "compliance with Town Zoning staff and third-party experts engaged by the P&Z Commission, the project's denial has necessitated a shift to a new application under Connecticut's 8-30g statute."
Prior to this application, ROAN had collaborated with P&Z and made design updates to The Hamlet in accordance with preferences by the local community, according to Smith.
The Westport Representative Town Meeting upheld the original rezoning decision for Saugatuck in favor of The Hamlet project via a 33-1 vote, citing the possibility of a state-mandated affordable housing development if they did not approve the rezoning, Smith said.
From the ROAN Ventures announcement:
Connecticut's 8-30g statute was enacted with the goal of increasing the supply of affordable housing across the state, particularly in municipalities where less than 10% of the housing stock meets the state's definition of affordable. The 8-30g application, now referred to as "The Alliance for Saugatuck Housing Opportunity," will responsibly pursue the updated development plans allowed under state law.
The Section 8-30g statute does not mandate public amenities, walkability and waterfront access as envisioned in The Hamlet proposal. Off-site improvements may be reconsidered to accommodate the target of delivering between 400 and 500 residential units to the community.
The initial proposal included 57 housing units, 57 hotel rooms and building heights up to 62 feet. ROAN’s intent was to provide a vibrant village atmosphere with public waterfront access, retail, dining, and diverse housing options.
Architectural plans were created to integrate seamlessly with Westport's charm and contribute to local economic growth and modernized infrastructure.