To the Editor:
As residents of Old Lyme, we feel a strong responsibility to voice our concerns regarding a recent Special Permit application before the Zoning Commission for 43 Smiths Neck Road, which poses a serious threat to the natural beauty of our cherished Connecticut River Valley. After attending the public hearing, we identified two critical issues that were not addressed, further supporting the case for denying this application—issues the community should be aware of and take action on.
1. Inadequate Planning for Visual Impact
The applicant has failed to present any visual renditions illustrating how the proposed structure will appear in relation to its surroundings—particularly in relation to the neighboring home, located less than 11 yards away. This omission is especially concerning given the site’s pristine location at the mouth of the Back River, where it meets Long Island Sound.
We urge residents to visit the boat landing to envision the visual impact of two substantial homes—a new, massive build adjacent to an already large existing home—situated a mere 11 yards apart. The resulting juxtaposition of two overwhelming, obtrusive, and incongruously designed homes (“monstrous” is a more apt description) would be entirely out of character with the area’s natural charm.
Furthermore, the visual impact of these structures starkly contradicts the Connecticut River Gateway Commission’s mission “to preserve the aesthetic and ecological natural beauty of the lower Connecticut River valley for present and future generations.” Disregarding the Gateway Commission’s expert recommendation to reject the Special Permit application would establish a dangerous precedent, weakening the regulatory framework that safeguards our community and environment and opening the door to unchecked deviations from established zoning principles. The Gateway Commission and its mission were established in law by the Connecticut General Assembly in 1973, recognizing that “this river possesses unique scenic, ecological, scientific, and historic value contributing to public enjoyment, inspiration, and scientific study…that it is in the public interest…to preserve such values and to prevent deterioration of the natural and traditional river-way scene for the enjoyment of present and future generations.”
Allowing this development to proceed would violate the Gateway Commission’s mission and the principles it was founded to uphold. The construction of this new home—essentially positioned on top of an existing one—would irrevocably degrade the unique beauty of the marsh and the entire Back River as it flows into Long Island Sound.
2. Violation of Zoning Regulations
The proposal also conflicts with zoning regulations requiring structures to be built behind the natural crest of a hill to maintain the site’s topography. The applicant’s plans rely on substantial landfill to artificially alter the hill’s contours, concealing the fact that the proposed home’s river-facing wall extends at least 30 yards beyond the hill’s natural crest. Such actions contradict both the letter and the spirit of local zoning laws.
Preserving Our Community’s Legacy
If approved, this application would set a dangerous precedent, endorsing incongruous development that disregards zoning standards and the region’s natural beauty. We urge residents to join us in calling on the Zoning Commission to uphold the principles of responsible land use by denying this application. Together, we can protect the natural legacy we are privileged to enjoy and ensure its preservation for future generations.
Sincerely,
Susan and Thor Kayeum,
Old Lyme.