saveoldsaugatuck

HEAD'S UP -> NORDEN PL. WAREHOUSE - 11/18 public meeting

Dear Neighbors, Residents, Home Owners, Friends and Supporters of SAVE OLD SAUGATUCK/SOS,

This notice from the East Norwalk Neighborhood Association has an alert that the residents of the SOS community should know about. It's about plans for Norden property development, which is the very same property that was of such concern to our SOS community a short time ago. Our Norwalk neighbors came out to support us when we had to fight Developer Felix Charney and Atty. Tim Hollister before the Norwalk Zoning Commission. It is critical for those of us who live in the SOS neighborhood to now give our support to our Norwalk neighbors. Support is in the form of petitions, emails, or open-to-public virtual meeting attendance.

Upcoming public hearings for the 330,000 square foot Warehouse and Distribution Center proposed for 10 Norden Place and the 14 residential units proposed for 93 Winfield Street (Former Bank of America site) are being scheduled... They could be held on THE SAME NIGHT! November 18. Save the date to virtually attend and contribute comments.

The Distribution Facility is planned to host 19 loading docks, for 3-5 tenants occupying 60,000 to 100,000 square feet each. Though tenant mix is unknown until applicant receives zoning approval, actually purchases the building, and begins leasing space, they estimate the site will generate 198 trucks trips per day, mostly tractor trailers 62-67-feet in length, plus 376 passenger trips for a total of an additional 574 vehicles on a weekday basis. This facility may be applying to operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

This Norden Place Warehouse WILL affect Westport's I-95 Exit 17 and surrounding traffic. Since tractor trailers can't fit under the Westport bridge exiting I-95 to Route 136, the only access options for them are through East Norwalk at Exit 16 or at Exit 17 where they then proceed through Westport to The Post Road, head south, and then up Strawberry Hill Ave.

Of utmost concern is the probable impact on our quality of life especially as it relates to even more truck and vehicle traffic, noise, air pollution, and safety.

Commission Chairman Lou Schulman did encourage residents to continue to write to Zoning with comments, questions, concerns, and suggestions.

For more details and updated info, please visit the East Norwalk Neighborhood Association at http://EastNorwalk.org.

Or ENNA on Facebook: https://is.gd/ixdBXj

All Norwalk City public meetings can be viewed at the City's YouTube channel at https://is.gd/LauaHT.

Address emails to the Zoning Commission and send to skleppin@norwalkct.org. Steve Kleppin from ENNA will forward to the Commissioner.

DEVELOPER FELIX CHARNEY'S MASTER PLAN FOR OLD SAUGATUCK

Additional Information

Here is a picture of the map of Old Saugatuck showing how Developer Felix Charney plans to take away all of our homes as his final goal. The development at the end of Hiawatha Lane Extension is just phase one of three planned phases of destruction and disappearance of this historic and affordable community. Please study this picture, and then stay alert as SOS/SAVE OLD SAUGATUCK continues with our vision to keep us a community.

GET INVOLVED

Our resistance continues ~ Save Old Saugatuck was formed in 2003 to stop Felix Charney, of Summit Saugatuck LLC, from destroying an historic Westport, CT neighborhood. His development plans will encompass every one of these streets: Ferry Lane West, Hiawatha Lane, Indian Hill Road, Davenport Ave., Heritage Court, Dr. Gillette Circle, Hiawatha Lane Extension, and West End Avenue.

Charney is trying to convince the Westport Conservation Commission that land on Hiawatha Lane Extension is suitable for 187 units of rental housing, and that there is no problem with water, existing wetlands and watercourses in this area, when in fact, it is totally unsuitable for any plan that calls for a combined total of five, three, and four-story buildings.

This area has long been recognized as an area of wetlands, that is frequently saturated with water, and historically has severely limited building permitted.

We are encouraging friends, neighbors and concerned citizens to please share pictures of the flooding that already steadily occurs with the overflow of waterways going through the Hiawatha Lane Extension area.... or any other items you feel relevant... and all are invited to share their present stories and remembrances of this area when it was considered “swampland.

If you have any questions or want to know how you can lend further support or help, please don’t hesitate to contact me. Let’s achieve one more victory for ourselves in our 15-year fight to Save Old Saugatuck.