Westport P&Z To Review Two Text Amendments

Press release from the Town of Westport:

WESTPORT, CT — Planning & Zoning Director Mary Young has announced that on September 9, 2024, at 6:00pm, a public hearing of the Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z Commission) will be held to review two text amendments to the Westport Zoning and Subdivision Regulations, authored on behalf of the P&Z Commission.

Text Amendment #844 proposes to reformat §42, Amendments, to better distinguish between the requirements for a zone change to the Official Building Zone Map versus a text change to the Zoning and Subdivision Regulations. The proposed reformatting is intended to clarify a Notice Mailing to property owners within 500’ of the subject property is a requirement only for a zone change to the Official Building Zone Map, not a text change. If adopted, §42 will be further amended to require digital submission of application materials for interested parties to view on the Town’s website. This will benefit the Town Attorney’s Office who needs digital materials to file with the courts when defending decisions under appeal.

Text Amendment #845 proposes to modify the definition of “Front Setback” in §5, Definitions, by specifying a property’s Front Setback is measured from the edge of a road right-of-way, in those cases when a road right-of-way is located on a lot, not measured from a Street Line. If adopted, the amendment will require the greatest front yard setback and enhance the streetscape.

Mary Young stated, “Both amendments will codify past practices administering the zoning regulations. Codifying the intent of these regulations should promote understanding, compliance, and effectiveness, while providing legal clarity and accountability, ultimately leading to better regulatory outcomes.”

The September 9, 2024, P&Z Commission meeting will be held remotely via Zoom. It will be livestreamed on the Town’s website at www.westportct.gov, and/or will be accessible on Optimum Government Access Channel 79. 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 P&Z 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.”

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