save old saugatuck

Update, December 13, 2019

Greetings neighbors and friends,

Yet another Town Hall setting last Tuesday night for Summit Saugatuck LLC/Felix Charney; one which provided this developer yet another opportunity to continue his 16-year saga of tilting his "windmills" of innuendo, obfuscation and outright lying... this time in order to convince the Norwalk Conservation Commissioners that he has an "ordained right" to have a road constructed through Norwalk's preserved wetlands going directly into Westport and into the Old Saugatuck neighborhood street of Hiawatha Lane Extension. This road would be constructed so that Charney could have his "ordained right" to personally profit by constructing buildings that simply are not a fit in any way for this neighborhood (a position which is affirmed by eight Westport P&Z denials). His planned strategy is deliberately exploiting the specific State Housing law that provides for the availability of "affordable housing units" throughout all of Connecticut's 169 towns.

It was again an opportunity for Charney & company to make accusations that racism was the reason the application was denied by Westport eight times, and that the Norwalk Conservation Commissioners shouldn't perpetuate this racism. Was this another veiled threat as has been the pattern? Another tilting of the windmills?

The racism insult was delivered two hours in, at the close of a long meeting, after dozens of both Norwalk residents and Westport residents had already presented a compelling multitude of reasons for the Commissioners to reject the application submitted by this developer. Objections were raised about several current issues and potential issues, which this application "conveniently" failed to cover or address. As such, at the close of the evening Charney & company asked for more time and a continuation of the meeting to January, 2020. The questions proposed by the audience could have been answered immediately, but of course this request for more time could be expected as the billable hours for Summit's attorney, Tim Hollister, continue to build. (Excuse any cynicism on my part, but this is a familiar pattern demonstrated through the years) and the delays also buys more time to circle their wagons and conjure up counter "rationales" to offer in January.

Summit Saugatuck LLC/Felix Charney has expended millions of dollars since 2003, and so far... what has been accomplished during those years has been eight unanimous Westport P and Z rejections of a pretend affordable housing proposal, that would destroy an already historically affordable neighborhood and local environs.

Gold stars for all the wonderful residents who filled the Community room with their presence and their statements. Gold stars for the elected officials, who recognized the critical issues here and voiced their hope that the Norwalk Conservation Commissioners would act with the concern and responsibility that they have as land trust protectors, and reject any attempt to change a conservation easement....and the public trust it represents.

I'll be in touch with updated information and as the January meeting comes closer.

Enjoy the rest of December; enjoy the holidays and holy days.