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06/27/2017 12:00 AMMore than 100 Essex residents attended the June 19 meeting of the town’s Zoning Commission to continue discussion on the application of the Carlson Landing project, a proposed new marina and restaurant to be located on the Essex waterfront in conjunction with the existing structures of Essex Boat Works.
The hearing, at Essex Elementary School, was a continuation of a public hearing in May on the project, known as Carlson Landing. Richard (Rick) Carlson is the owner of Essex Boat Works, which abuts the property of the Connecticut River Museum. Supporters of the museum, among them its director Christopher Dobbs, while emphasizing they are in favor of a waterfront restaurant, have raised some issues about how the proposed project will impact the museum’s operations.
The audience at the hearing divided itself informally from the outset, with those who support the proposed development on one side and those with reservations about the present plan on the other side.
“It looks like a wedding, bride’s side and groom’s side,” one attendee noted.
Each side applauded loudly for statements that supported its position, though supporters of the project outnumbered those who had questions about the development.
The property for the new project includes two parcels of land, 63 Main Street in Essex and 9 Ferry Street. The proposal includes construction of a new building that will house offices on the second floor and the restaurant on the ground floor. Architect Charles Mueller of Centerbrook Architects and engineer Thomas Daly of Milone and MacBroom reviewed the current updates in the development plans, noting town officials had made some changes in response to questions.
Seating in the proposed restaurant has been reduced by three seats, from a maximum of 58 to 55. One additional parking space for handicapped patrons has been added to the two originally in the plan. Total parking in the summer will be 85 spaces, since the metal building on the property, used for boat storage in the winter, can be used at that time. In the winter, without the added metal building space, there will be parking for 58 vehicles. Both figures satisfy the number of spaces required by town zoning regulations.
Access for vehicles will be from Ferry Street near Pratt Street, and from a gravel driveway from Main Street that has become a major source of contention. The driveway, which is on Essex Boat Works property, bisects the two properties of the Connecticut River Museum, the main building closer to the water, and the Lay House, on the other side.
Museum patrons currently have an option to cross Essex Boat Works’ gravel driveway and walk up a stairway to get to Lay House. The stairway, given by the local Rotary Club and dedicated to philanthropists Herb and Sherry Clark, runs up an embankment from driveway, giving easy access to Lay House, where many educational activities for children take place. Without the stairway, to get from one museum property to another would involve walking out to Main Street and then up to Lay House.
Both Carlson and attorney Christopher Smith, representing Carlson Landing, pointed out that the museum has no easement to use the gravel driveway or property on which the stairway is built; it has a revocable license. All that property belongs to Essex Boat Works, which plans to use it as a location for a septic system.
Smith referred to a letter that Edward Lahey III, the former owner of Essex Boat Works, wrote to Carlson recounting conversations with the museum in which he warned them not to build an expensive permanent stairway on the boat works property because of the likelihood that he would expand the gravel driveway. In that case, any stairway the museum built would be torn down.
According to the letter to Carlson, Lahey said he had given the museum permission to cross the boat works property and build some type of stairs “in the spirit of being a good neighbor.”
Dobbs said that some 25,000 people a year visit the Connecticut River Museum and that it is a tourist destination and economic catalyst for the town. Easy access from one museum building to another, he added, is essential to the museum’s operation. He said that he still hoped some plan of accommodation could be worked out with Essex Boat Works. The museum, he pointed out, has long been a vital part of both the cultural and commercial life of the town.
Adding Public Input
During the period reserved for public comment, advocates for both points of view spoke. Kendall Perkins, for 15 years education director at the museum, spoke of how important viable access to Lay House was to youth programs, and pointed out that crossing an active roadway would put children at risk.
Several speakers noted that the new construction, particularly the restaurant, would be a key to revitalize the lagging economic situation in Essex village. Amy Cameron, president of the Essex Board of Trade, noted the empty storefronts in Essex village. The restaurant, she said, “can only help all of us.” Cameron added that the divisions that the debate on the proposal had opened up in the community saddened her.
One attendee had a comment that seemed to bring smiles to everybody regardless of their viewpoint. A young man who identified himself only as Mario said he was getting married at the end of July at the museum. He wanted to make sure there would be no construction at that time and also that the black silt fence at the end of boat works property on the Lay house side would be removed for the festivities.
Mueller assured him that July was far too early, if there is zoning approval, for the other permits necessary to begin construction. Smith added that the silt fence could be removed for the occasion. The entire audience clapped as Mario resumed his seat. One man reached out and shook his hand.
Time ran out before all the people who wished to comment had an opportunity. With the consent of the parties involved, the Zoning Commission has scheduled a third hearing for Monday, July 17 at 7 p.m. at Valley Regional High School, subject to availability. If that is not possible, the commission said there would be signs at the high school directing people to the meeting site.