Madison Beach Hotel Draws Support From Neighbors Amid Lawsuit

While the Madison Beach Hotel faces legal action by the Madison Beach Preservation Association (MBPA) for noise, traffic and other issues, another group of 16 neighboring families have banded together to come to the hotel’s defense.

Lewis Rosenblum has lived in his home a few doors down from the hotel for nine years. His neighbor and fellow group member’s house has been in the family since the 1960’s.

“A lot of the members of this group have lived here longer than I have,” Rosenblum said. “Our position is that we live in that area...and if the hotel fails, it is not going to be good for the town or neighborhood. So we are kind of concerned about a group actively going after the hotel, trying to have them reduce their activity.”

The group has sought to represent the “other neighbors” who find the hotel to be a valuable asset to both the the proximity they live in and a town as a whole. Among other benefits, it brings tourism and commerce to the town and is the second-largest taxpayer in the community.

The hotel offers neighbors a convenient location to walk to for a nice meal, as well as family activities they can take part in like movies and free s’mores on the beach. Issues taken by the MBPA, such as the allegedly noisy summer concerts and weddings, are likewise seen by the group as a delightful benefit.

“We’re not really sure what the other group is about, because I’m four houses from the hotel and the concerts are not a problem at all,” Rosenblum said. “They end at 9, it’s once a week in the summer; I can’t even hear them when I am in my house. If I sit on the porch it is kind of a pleasant experience.”

Rosenblum and the group has also found that the hotel has always done its best to address issues that have come up. This has included ways to keep guests on the property and restricting parking to the hotel lot.

“I think the owners are doing the best they can to be good neighbors,” Rosenblum said. “They do need to be kept under control. We don’t want [the hotel] expanding beyond anymore than what it is, but once they keep themselves within those boundaries of keeping parking and guests on the hotel property, we are fine.”

Rosenblum said the hotel should not be blamed solely for noise in the area, as Surf Club and the Madison Beach Club provide just as much noise. He has also found that many of the people complaining about the hotel actually live further away than those supporting it.

“Rumors around town are that people who live near the hotel are unhappy and their property values are going down,” Rosenblum said. “We thought we should get some publicity in the other direction that the group conducting the lawsuit is half a mile away. We are 200 yards away, so we’re much more representative of people that are by the hotel.”

The group has thus far sent a letter addressing their position on the matter to First Selectman Tom Banisch, Zoning Enforcement Officer John Delaura and Town Planner David Anderson. They also met Thursday morning with officials to discuss the matter.

Rosenblum noted that he and the group are not interested in countersuing or any type of legal action. They are simply a group of neighbors who find it important to make their voices heard in support of something they cherish and consider to be a part of the community.

“I guess [the MBPA] can do what they want, but i’m not sure why they are doing it,” Rosenblum said. “Occasionally there’s a car that wanders into the wrong spot but you know, I’ve seen a lot worse.”