Westport P&Z To Discuss Improvements To Coleytown Elementary School

Information from the Town of Westport:

WESTPORT, CT — Planning and Zoning Director Mary Young has announced that at 6:00pm on June 24, 2024, a meeting of the Planning and Zoning Commission will be held to review a request submitted by the First Selectwoman on behalf of the Westport Public Schools to expand two existing play areas and add new play structures at Coleytown Elementary School (CES), at 65 Easton Road, including:

• A 665 SF expansion of an existing southern outdoor play area with the addition of a Kompani carousel; and

· A 1,050 SF expansion of an existing western outdoor play area with the addition of a Kompani swing.

Substantial improvements to a playground on municipal property, as referenced in §8-24 of the State Statutes, requires a Positive §8-24 Report by the Planning and Zoning Commission or an affirmative 2/3 vote by the RTM to overturn a Negative §8-24 Report. The P&Z Director described,

“The Board of Education, Board of Finance, and RTM approved funds for this improvement using money secured from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The rationale for obtaining the funds was described by the Westport Public School (WPS) staff as helping them meet students’ needs by mitigating impacts resulting from COVID-19 by working towards a ‘School Sensory Lifestyle.’ Supplementing the curriculum with recesses inclusive of play structures that promote movement was highlighted as one of several approaches.”

The June 24, 2024, Planning and Zoning Commission meeting will be held remotely using Zoom, it will be live streamed on the Town’s website at www.westportct.gov, and/or will be accessible on Optimum Government Access Channel 79 and Frontier Channel 6020. The remote meeting link is published on the meeting agenda available on the Town’s website on the “Meeting List and Calendar” web page. Written comments may be submitted and should be sent to PandZ@westportct.gov by 12:00pm on the day of the meeting if intended to be distributed for consideration by members of the Planning and Zoning Commission. Written comments received after 12:00pm on the day of the meeting will be entered into the record but will not be distributed until the next business day. Meeting materials are available at www.westportct.gov, on the Planning and Zoning Dept. web page under “P&Z Pending Applications & Recent Approvals.”