Westport P&Z Considers Move To Streamline Application Reviews

WESTPORT, CT — A new amendment to Westport's Zoning Regulations will be considered by the Planning & Zoning Commission on Feb. 4, which are designed to streamline application process, according to Planning & Zoning Director Mary Young.

The amendments were authored by the P&Z Commission's Process Efficiency Subcommittee; the hearing to discuss them was originally scheduled for March 19, 2020, but was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Text Amendment #779 proposes a pair of related changes "intended to provide flexibility and discretion to the P&Z Commission regarding the manner in which it reviews Coastal Area Management (CAM) Site Plan applications for residential development." The charges are:

1. Removing language from §31-10.7.5 requiring a public hearing for Coastal Site Plan Applications; and

2. Removing language from §43-5.2 requiring a public hearing for “activities located within the Coastal Boundary;” and replacing it with language requiring a public hearing only for non- residential activities pursuant to §31-10.6 and any Shoreline Flood and Erosion Control Structures as defined in CGS §22a-109.

"If the amendment is adopted, the P&Z Commission will review Coastal Site Plan applications for residential development during the administrative portion of its meetings, also known as 'Work Sessions,'" Young said. She added it will provide for a more streamlined review process. Such a move is consistent with the Mission Statement of the P&Z Commission's Process Efficiency Subcommittee.

The Mission Statement reads in part:

To review, and, where appropriate and lawful, revise, various processes carried out by the Planning and Zoning Commission, Staff and applicants for the purpose of making such processes less time consuming and resource intensive.

The virtual hearing on Feb. 4 is open to the public and will be held at 6 p.m. It will be livestreamed on the Town's website www.westportct.gov, as well as recorded and archived for future viewing. To view all application materials, use this link to the Pending P&Z Application page on the Town's website: https://www.westportct.gov/government/departments-a-z/planning-and-zoning-department/p-z-pending-applications

Additionally, interested parties can send written comments to the commission in advance of the hearing. Send written comments to PandZ@westportct.gov.

To obtain the Zoom link for the remote meeting, email Young at maryyoung@westportct.gov by noon on Feb. 4.