Steering Committee Launched for Saugatuck Transit Development

WESTPORT, CT — The town has created a Saugatuck Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Master Plan Steering Committee (the “Saugatuck Steering Committee” or “SSC”), First Selectman Jim Marpe announced this week.

The mission of the Committee shall be "to provide input, guidance and direction to professional planning consultants chosen to develop a transit-oriented master plan for the Saugatuck area," according to officials. The acceptance of the $440,000 State grant, awarded to the Town of Westport in June, 2016 is for the express purpose of developing a Saugatuck TOD Master Plan.

"The Steering Committee is a well-balanced, diversified team of Westport residents with a mix of skills, knowledge and experience related to all the important elements that need to be considered in such a planning process," said Marpe in statement. "A number of members either live or have a business in the Saugatuck neighborhood. I am grateful that these residents have stepped forward and offered their help in this important planning process. I am confident that their advice and expertise will provide variety and quality representation of the Saugatuck community and Westport as a whole."

The first meeting of the SSC is scheduled for Thursday, November 17, at 8 am in Town Hall Room 201.

Planning and Zoning Director Mary Young and Westport resident Craig Schiavone will co-chair the Committee. Prior to her recent appointment as Westport’s Planning and Zoning Director, Ms. Young participated in a very successful TOD Master Planning Project for the Town of Stratford, where she resides. Ms. Schiavone has extensive experience in town planning and municipal development and currently serves on the Downtown Plan Implementation Committee.

The co-chairs shall report to the First Selectman and work to collaborate with a number of Town departments; most specifically with the Planning and Zoning Department and the Planning and Zoning Commission. Due to the historic nature of the Saugatuck area, the Historic District Commission will provide input and consultation as well. The Public Works, Conservation, and Parks and Recreation departments will help with defining implementation and infrastructure improvement projects which may be identified during the planning process.

Members are:

• Co-chair Mary Young, Director of Planning and Zoning
• Co-chair Craig Schiavone, town planning experience
• Eileen Berenyi, town planning experience, Office in Saugatuck
• Andy Boas, Investment Manager, Office in Saugatuck
• Al DiGuido, Saugatuck merchant
• Marty Fox, Westport Transit Director
• Ed Gerber, representing the Westport Historical Society
• Ward French, Chair, Architectural Review Board, Saugatuck resident
• Peter Gold, Chair, RTM Transit Committee
• Robert “Buck” Iannacone, 5th Generation Saugatuck resident
• Samuel Levenson, Financial Communications Consultant, Saugatuck Area Resident
• Mike Mahoney, Commuter Rail Council Member, commuter
• Matthew Mandell, Executive Director, Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce
• Cathy Walsh, Chair, Planning and Zoning Commission
• Ian Warburg, Preservationist

The Staff advisory members are:

• Sam Arciola, Deputy Police Chief, Saugatuck resident
• Katherine Daniel, Deputy Planning and Zoning Director
• Steve Edwards, Director, Public Works
• Jen Fava, Director, Parks and Recreation
• Alicia Mozian, Director, Conservation

The Saugatuck TOD Master Plan (“Master Plan”) process will be modeled after the successful Downtown Master Plan development and implementation currently in progress. This Master Plan will focus on improving the Saugatuck area in a manner that will benefit residents, commuters and businesses. Among other things, the study will review how to successfully improve streets, sidewalks, lighting, crosswalks and streetscapes. All will be incorporated into a vision of how the Saugatuck area might work better; including a focus on traffic, pedestrian safety, and congestion concerns. Additionally, the Master Plan will incorporate ideas on how future development and infrastructure improvements may be shaped so that community goals such as improved bicycle and pedestrian access to the train station will be addressed.

"This is a great opportunity to help plan for a future Saugatuck which is vital, livable, safer for pedestrians, and offers diverse entertainment, dining, recreational, residential and business opportunities," said Young in a statement. "It will allow us to analyze the potential for improving access to public transportation in that area. Once completed, the Master Plan will be used to help implement the Westport Plan of Conservation and Development’s goal of enhancing Saugatuck Center as a transportation hub."

Added Marpe, “Saugatuck is considered Westport’s ‘Second Downtown’ and has been experiencing an impressive rejuvenation based on private investment and development. It is also an area where many have advocated that the Town of Westport play a supportive role in helping improve the overall district, particularly with regard to streets, street lighting, sidewalks, green spaces, pedestrian and bicycle safety, and improved traffic flow. The Saugatuck Master Plan will help guide and integrate future development in a manner that works well for the community while providing for appropriate infrastructure design and improvements.”

He continued “I am committed to a planning process that reflects Saugatuck’s small town character and historical heritage, recognizes and attempts to improve on vehicle traffic and congestion, and encourages development that is “Transit Oriented” in the sense that additional vehicles can be left out of the equation for the occupants of any new residential housing that is built.”

Co-chair Craig Schiavone stated, “There is the expectation that this project, much like the Downtown Master Plan concept and implementation, will result in active community involvement. I look forward to engaging in positive discussions that will incorporate the ideas of as many residents as possible.”