Westport P&Z Considers Removing 'Character' From Subdivision Rules

The following announcement is from the Westport Planning and Zoning Department:

WESTPORT, CT — Planner Amanda Trianovich announced on February 27, 2023, at 7:00 PM, a public hearing of the Planning and Zoning Commission will be held to replace or remove “Character” throughout the Westport Zoning and Subdivision Regulations pursuant to Public Act 21-29.

Public Act 21-29 (the Act), effective 10/1/21, found here, states that municipal zoning regulations must no longer be drafted with consideration as to the “character” of a district, but instead with consideration as to its “physical site characteristics.” The Act also prohibits denial of any land use application or zoning approval “on the basis of a district’s character, unless such character is expressly articulated in such regulations by clear and explicit physical standards for site work and structures.”

Text Amendment #813, authored on behalf of the Planning and Zoning Commission, proposes to replace or remove “Character” throughout the Westport Zoning and Subdivision Regulations where it is not accompanied by clear and explicit physical standards, while staying as close to the original meaning and intent of the Regulations as possible. Text Amendment #813 can be viewed online here.

The February 27, 2023, public hearing will be held virtually via Zoom, will be live streamed 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 or call in to offer testimony during the meeting. To access the meeting links, view the meeting agenda online here.