Community Corner

Stamford Residents Confront Harbor Point Developers

The Downtown Special Services District, against certain upcoming developments at Harbor Point, await their day to be heard by the local Zoning Board.

Stamford's is one of several groups in seeking to better regulate (BLT) development at Harbor Point, should Stamford's zoning board decide that construction is to even take place.

"I am here to say that zoning regulations have been compromised, we believe that the application of BLT should not get passed," DSSD president Sandy Goldstein told Patch.  "The zoning regs say its not allowable."

DSSD, responsible for many of the events that occur downtown, has been active as of late in the causes of improving parking and business for downtown entrepreneurs. DSSD is not the only group which has opposition to development at Harbor Point, as Stamford's petition, now supported by 23 different groups according to organizer Maureen Boylan, feels that the land should represent its initial purpose.

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"They closed down the boatyard, and they're currently in violation of the zoning law," Boylan said about the boatyard at Yacht Haven West, which closed at the end of October. "The law says that it has to be maintained as a 14-acre working boatyard. They closed down the boatyard without having a public hearing or issuing any site plans as to what they're going to do. So, if they do any development at all, it has to come back as a 14-acre working boatyard."

Boylan and nearly a hundred other Stamford residents were present for a public hearing on the Harbor Point development hearing on Jan. 9. at the . Boylan did not get a chance to speak during the public hearing, as the hearing was delayed until Jan. 30, but DSSD was able to elaborate on its point of view during a presentation to the zoning board:

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  • BLT's application does not comply with zoning regulations.
  • The Yacht Haven boatyard should not have been closed down.
  • Initially, the planned Harbor Point hotel was to be a "boutique" hotel. It is now planned to exist as a full service hotel.

In their presentation, BLT representatives elaborated on the perceived benefits of a new facility:

  • A new, large, masterfully-built hotel could improve the city's skyline.
  • Locals will enjoy it.
  • All zoning regulations have been met.

It is unclear how, or if BLT's planned developments will aid in local job growth.

"You couldn't ask for a more distinctive building," BLT counsel John Freeman said.

"I'm here because I'm concerned about what's been going on in the south end, I'm here to see that the boating community is treated fairly, and has a future here in Stamford," long-time yacht captain Bernie Weiss said. "Boaters need services...right now there's no place in Stamford which offers those services. None."

Remaining eager to make sure that nothing is built over the former grounds of the Yacht Haven boatyard except for a new boatyard, Save the Boatyard plans to return on Jan. 30 to speak at a public hearing devoted to the BLT application. DSSD will also be in attendance.

Even if Save the Boatyard is successful, its members are uncertain as to when Stamford will gain a new boatyard. Most of the group's membership remain optimistic.

"Sooner, rather than later," Weiss said.


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