P&Z Commission to Consider Zoning Rule Changes May 15

The Westport Planning & Zoning Department issued this news release Thursday:

Laurence Bradley, Westport Planning & Zoning Director announced today that on May 15, 2014, the Planning & Zoning Commission is scheduled to review a text amendment to the Westport Zoning Regulations.

Text Amendment #674 (Application #14-016) has been submitted by Richard Redniss, consultant for Coastal Construction Group, to the Westport Planning & Zoning Commission to modify the zoning regulations to make changes to the Inclusionary Housing Zone (IHZ).

The IHZ Zone was adopted by the Planning & Zoning Commission in 2010 to permit multi-family housing on properties that are spilt between commercial and residential zones.  The IHZ also requires that at least 20 percent of the dwelling units be designated as affordable housing.

The proposed amendment specifically makes the following requests:

• To allow properties with more than two existing curb cuts have the curb cuts relocated.

• To allow an additional story of building height for a garage level on properties with not more than 65 percent coverage.

• To allow parking structures which are partially below grade below residential structures to exempt from coverage.

• To add provisions that facilitate the preservation of historic structures on IHZ properties  with allowances for:

         -- Reduced setbacks for existing historic structures
         -- Parking for non-residential uses in residential zones
         -- Parking in front of the front leading edge of a building provided a 30’ setback is observed
         -- Rehabilitation of historic structures using the Secretary of the Interior Standards
         -- A perpetual preservation easement for historic structures

A companion application (Map Amendment # 675) has also been submitted to rezone the property at 1135 Post Road East into the Inclusionary Housing Zone.

All those interested in these amendments are encouraged to attend the Planning & Zoning Commission’s public hearing on May 15th at 7:00 PM in the Westport Town Hall.

Copies of the amendment are available for viewing in Town Hall both in the P&Z Office and in the office of the Town Clerk.  

The Commission can receive written comments from the public in advance of the hearing.  Once the hearing is closed, no more information or comments will be accepted.