Residents urge preservation of Ridgefield waterfront, warn of parking and public-access loss

Dozens of residents urged the Ridgefield City Council on June 23 to prioritize public access and open space over dense waterfront development proposed by the port.

"This is Ridgefield's one and only waterfront," said Wendy McIntyre, reading from the city's 2023 waterfront mixed-use code and noting the document allows buildings up to 75 feet and up to 85% impervious surface coverage. "Is this really what we value most for our waterfront?" McIntyre told the council, and said her petition opposing the proposal has more than 3,200 signatures.

Other commenters raised related concerns: Jan Hague pressed the city to preserve a possible marina and noted the port said a marina would be costly; Shauna Fisher questioned whether 150 residential units and a 58-room hotel would fit the shoreline while preserving sidewalks and open space; Dion Hess warned that waterfront parking shortfalls would create "chaos" and public-safety problems and urged coordination with law enforcement and the port.

Supporters of stronger protections said the city needs to clarify what discretion it retains over the port project. "We've been told much of this project is out of your hands as long as it complies with existing zoning," McIntyre said, asking what the council can still do to ensure permit applications reflect community character.

Council members did not take action on the waterfront plan at the meeting. Mayor Cole and staff repeatedly said the city is constrained by existing zoning and state processes but will accept public input as part of future review. The public also questioned parking counts and traffic impacts: resident Josh Hanson cited wrong-way driving counts at a local one-way stretch and said better signage and enforcement are needed.