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07/09/2018 12:00 AMThe Courier’s June 28 story “Parking Plan Upsets Deep River Residents” about the Valley Railroad Company’s application before the Planning & Zoning Commission (PZC) for improvements to its leased property in Deep River mischaracterized the proposal in some instances.
The story, which was based on the June 21 PZC meeting that featured a presentation from Valley Railroad Company (VRC) representatives and testimony from residents, inaccurately stated that the proposal is for 35 additional parking spaces at Deep River Landing.
First, the proposal does not in any way involve the town-owned park, Deep River Landing. The application addresses improvements to the Deep River Train Station property VRC leases from the State of Connecticut. The property is adjacent to Deep River Landing, but does not address or affect parking or other use of the town park.
Second, the proposal is not to add new parking, but to make marking and drainage improvements to an area that is already in use as a parking area.
VRC “is seeking an amendment to the existing permit that approved for the construction of the company’s original riverboat dock in 1978, and which was amended in 2005 to provide for direct boarding of school field trip children from buses, to allow for improvements to the existing parking area south of the train station for the purpose of directly boarding passengers from their cars onto the riverboat for limited low-attendance charters,” VRC Vice President Robert W. Bradway, Jr., told the Courier.
According to Bradway, the 36 spaces to the south of the train station, combined with 13 spaces fronting River Street (there are currently 14 marked spots in that lot, which be reduced to 13 to accommodate a new handicapped space) will allow the company to offer riverboat charters for up to 75 passengers no more than to three times per week.
Bradway noted that parking is not a new use for the site.
“This area has been used for Valley Railroad employee parking [and] the former Deep River Navigation Company office parking,” Bradway stated. “Deep River Feed and Grain used this area some time back, [and] it was the parking/freight transload area for the New Haven Railroad for nearly 100 years.”
As part of the application, VRC would allow use of its lot during town events, such as concerts, at Deep River Landing. VRC would also complete a sidewalk in the area.
The June 28 article also quoted from a resident who expressed concerns about an existing relationship between VRC and the Lace Factory, an event facility across River Street from the train station. The Courier also incorrectly described the Lace Factory as “on the same site”; it is across River Street. Bradway stated that some patrons of the Lace Factory contract directly with VRC to provide train transportation between Essex and Deep River train stations, but VRC has no direct business relationship or parking arrangement with the Lace Factory.
Discussion of the VRC proposal will continue at the Inland Wetlands Commission meeting at Deep River Town Hall, 174 Main Street, on Thursday, July 12 at 7:30 p.m. It returns to the PZC’s next regular meeting at Town Hall, on Thursday, July 19 at 7 p.m.
VRC is hosting a public gathering to answer questions to its application aboard The M.V. Becky Thatcher on Tuesday, July 10 at 7 p.m. VRC will host a dockside discussion with its management team to answer questions and address rumors and concerns about the proposal. For more information, visit essexsteamtrain.com/zoning-application.
The Valley Railroad Company issued the following statement regarding its application:
"The Valley Railroad Company application is to effect improvements to the existing parking area on company-leased property south of the Deep River Train Station. The application has no connection whatsoever with, nor does it propose using any of the spaces in, the Deep River Town Landing. An area of the southern portion of the Town Landing parking area, however, does extend onto company-leased property; this is being surveyed for clarity. The area south of the train station has existed as a level area for parking and freight transfer since 1871.
"The Valley Railroad Company has no formal or informal financial affiliation with The Lace Factory, contrary to what has been suggested in the public forum. The Lace Factory provides their customers with contact information for The Valley Railroad Company; the customers then contract directly with The Valley Railroad Company to provide train service between Essex and the Deep River Train Station.
"The Valley Railroad Company application is for the additional use of the parking area for a maximum of three days per week for a single charter cruise per day. The Valley Railroad Company is willing to accept this limitation as originally suggested during pre-application discussions with the zoning enforcement officer. Guests will arrive and be directed to appropriate company parking areas by uniformed staff, thence shepherded directly to the riverboat on the company dock, where all guest services are located. Upon return, guests will be guided back to their cars by staff, and encouraged to depart quietly, respectfully, and safely. Loitering by guests in the company parking areas will not be permitted.
"There is historic acknowledgement of the parking area south of the train station by its use as overflow parking for the Town Landing, and/or out-of-town boat trailers directed to this area.
"To date, the only professional opinion regarding any environmental impact has been made by Richard Snarski, certified professional soil scientist, who has reported, 'The proposed improvements to the parking area will not have a negative impact on the wetland.' Elements of the application have the potential to improve the condition of the adjacent wetland."