Great Island Planning Process Raises Concerns

Dear Editor,
Despite numerous presentations and discussions by the Great Island Advisory Committee (GIAC), the planning process for Great Island remains unclear. While there appears to be community input through workshops and surveys — even involving taxpayer-funded experts — concerns persist about whose voices shape this project and whether its future is predetermined.

A 2023 traffic study assessed vehicle impact, assuming limited parking and no beach or dock access. Yet recent discussions and the third Great Island survey imply decisions for multiple parking spaces have already been made, with only the location left to decide. Was a new traffic study conducted to support this shift? Were nearby residents consulted about potential congestion and neighborhood impact?

Public comment at GIAC meetings is limited to two minutes, with no discussion. Comments submitted separately to GIAC aren’t made public. Our Advisory Commission on Coastal Waters, delivered extensive recommendations and meeting requests to GIAC earlier last year and has yet to receive a response.

The focus group process also lacks transparency. For instance, the ecology focus group invitation was addressed solely to me; I only discovered who else was participating once the brief call began. Concerns raised—including inflexible survey questions—aren’t fully reflected in the summary report.

The third survey initially required residents to answer specific questions without the ability to skip, skewing the input. Though this survey has since been corrected, early respondents can’t revise their submissions, creating inconsistencies and potentially inaccurate input. We’ll never know how many early responses were flawed, but presumably they’ll be weighted equally with later submissions.
Great Island presents an extraordinary opportunity, but without transparency and genuine community engagement, we risk making shortsighted decisions with lasting consequences. I urge GIAC and town leaders to provide clear, public answers to these concerns.

Sincerely,
Juliet Cain
Darien Green Wave Cofounder