Town Of Westport: Text Amendments To Be Discussed At Upcoming P&Z Public Hearing

Press release from the Town of Westport:

10/28/2021 11:00 AM

Planning & Zoning Director Mary Young has announced that on Nov. 4, 2021 at 6:00 PM, the Planning and Zoning Commission is holding public hearings on two text amendments to modify the Zoning and Subdivision Regulations. The remote meeting will be held virtually via Zoom.

Text Amendment #803, submitted by the Planning and Zoning Commission, proposes to modify application submission requirements for review by the Planning and Zoning Commission by changing sections of the Zoning Regulations affecting Text and Map Amendment applications (§42), Special Permit and Site Plan applications (§44), and related cross references found in §34; and modify the Subdivision Regulations affecting Subdivision and Resubdivision applications (§52), replacing paper plans with digital plans consistent with practices employed in response to COVID-19, and Town-wide goals to become more environmentally sustainable. Text Amendment #803 can be viewed on-line here.

Text Amendment #802, submitted by the Planning and Zoning Commission, proposes to restore language in §35-4 requiring adherence to all landscaping standards in §35, “to the greatest extent possible,” and add qualifying language to discern what level of discretion will be employed by the Commission during their review. Upon adoption of Text Amendment #802, compliance with all standards in §35 will be required (as it is now) unless such compliance will create a new non-conforming condition such as reducing parking below the minimum number required. Text Amendment #802 additionally adds a new subsection, §35-2.8, Access to Fire Department Appurtenances, requiring all landscaping comply with the access and obstruction requirements of the Connecticut State Fire Prevention Code, as requested by the Fire Marshal. Text Amendment #802 can be viewed on-line here.

Mary Young said, “If adopted, both Text Amendments will help streamline existing processes. Text Amendment #803 will additionally eliminate waste and reduce Town Hall’s ‘Paper Footprint,’” and Text Amendment #802 will additionally enhance public safety.”

The Nov. 4, 2021 public hearings will be live streamed at 6:00 PM on the Town’s website at www.westportct.gov, and accessible on Optimum Government Access Channel 79 and Frontier Channel 6020.  Comments can be sent prior to the meeting at PandZ@westportct.gov and interested parties may join the meeting virtually to offer live testimony during the meeting.

This press release was produced by the Town of Westport. The views expressed here are the author’s own.