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STAMFORD, Conn. Some 200 people packed a Stamford Zoning Board hearing Monday night to speak out on the hotel planned by Building and Land Technology as part of its revitalized South End project.
The meeting was a continuation of a public hearing earlier this month that was delayed because there were too many speakers and other items on the agenda. The hearing was moved to Turn of River Middle School to accommodate a crowd.
There was both support for and opposition to the project Monday, though more speakers were against the hotel.
Opponents included Martin Levine and Kevin Daly, who criticized Building and Land Technology for doing as it pleased and constantly changing plans to serve its own needs.
Play by the rules ... because were going to be here a long time, Daly said, bringing up the fact that the developer shut down Brewers Yacht Haven West without the consideration of the board, which he said is required by the citys master plan.
These are people who commit to one thing when they need approval, and then do another, Levine said BLT. He also read from the master plan, which he said allows full-service hotels only in the downtown district, and called for smart growth.
South End residents and business people who showed up in support of the hotel stressed the additional jobs and other services the hotel would bring to the area.
How about sharing with other parts of Stamford? said Elaine Brown, a Henry Street resident, stressing that she would like to be able to stay in her neighborhood for services instead of having to go downtown or to other areas of the city.
Development in one area does not and should not detract from another, Treva Franks of CTE said, adding that when Fairway Market came to the city many area residents were hired and considered for jobs. He said he would expect the hotel to do the same.
The board will again consider the proposal March 5 at Turn of River.
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