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Developer seeks marina redevelopment overlay for Ferry Landing
Summary
Attorney Edward Cassella presented a proposed Marine Redevelopment (MRD) overlay for marina properties along Ferry Road to give the zoning commission discretionary tools to reduce nonconformities during redevelopment; commissioners expressed concern about residential impacts and Gateway review. Public hearing steps were outlined.
Attorney Edward Cassella told the Old Saybrook Zoning Commission on June 1 that Ferry Landing LLC is seeking a new Marina Redevelopment (MRD) overlay for properties along Ferry Road to give the town a regulatory tool to allow fiscally conservative marina-centered redevelopment while reducing existing nonconformities.
"The purpose of this regulation is to apply to properties ... that are in the marine industrial district that are seeking to redevelop themselves," Cassella said, describing an overlay aimed at avoiding ‘‘15–20 variances’’ that can arise when existing marina operations are brought into compliance. He walked commissioners through topography and parcel maps, noting steep slopes and water-dependent operations in the corridor between the bridges.
Cassella described how the MRD text would give the commission discretion to permit higher buildings in exchange for reductions of other nonconformities such as parking and lot-coverage violations. He cited existing and proposed building heights in the area and said the proposal would provide a means to balance site constraints with stormwater, lighting and other standards.
Commissioners raised neighborhood and precedent concerns. One commissioner said, "I worry about the Southard ... residential view versus some marina property," and asked how the overlay would apply to nearby parcels that are currently residential. Cassella and staff noted the proposal would be limited to water-dependent and marine uses and that Gateway Commission review would be required for waterfront visual and lighting impacts.
No formal application was filed at this meeting; Cassella said the team will submit a formal application and seek Gateway coordination prior to public hearing. The presentation was a preliminary review under CGS §7-159B; the applicant will return with a public hearing application.
