By Kerri Williams

WESTPORT — The Planning and Zoning Commission on Monday put off deciding on a text amendment that could pave the way for affordable housing units in existing buildings on town-owned Baron’s South.

Acknowledging that they will most likely not return to the topic until April, commissioners ended a long and sometimes contentious meeting by deciding not to vote on proposed text amendment 849.

“I feel good that we had a candid, honest conversation,” said John Bolton, who with fellow commissioners Michael Calise and Patrizia Zucaro said they were not in favor of the amendment.

“I’m not cool with the whole concept of changing the open space aspect [of Baron’s South],” Calise said, adding that he would like to “crumble up the application and throw it out the window.”

Other commissioners, including Chairman Paul Lebowitz, said they would support going ahead with the proposed text amendment that would modify the current “Dedicated Open Space and Recreation District” applied to Baron’s South to “permit the renovation and expansion of the existing buildings for two-family or multi-family dwellings.”

Both Planning and Zoning Director Michelle Perillie and Town Attorney Ira Bloom laid out how the proposal for converting the five buildings on the 22-acre property, including “Golden Shadows” mansion, would bring the town closer to meeting the town’s affordable housing goals as defined in a state-mandated plan.

Bloom added that not pursuing affordable housing on the property could lead to legal troubles for the town, partly because the town’s new Affordable Housing Committee has recommended the Baron’s South open space as a possible site for affordable housing when drafting its plan.

“I do believe this will get thrown back in your face,” Bloom said about what might happen if commissioners reject the amendment, adding that he feels “some urgency” for the commission to act. 

“Westport does have a good record [when it comes to affordable housing], he said. “This could be another one.”

Critics: “Distressing,” “nauseous” proposal

Bolton countered that the amount of affordable housing in town will “never be enough” for some. “Sometimes you have to go to court and fight.”

Calise added that he found it “distressing” that town staff and the town attorney were “putting pressure on us to approve. It’s not appropriate.”

Perillie pointed out several times at the meeting that if commissioners were to approve the text amendment, it would be a “first bite of the apple” concerning any version of the project.

Commissioners would later have to vote on project specifics if and when applications are filed to adapt the existing structures into multi-unit housing, which would be rented in compliance with state affordable housing criteria. 

Speaking at Monday’s public hearing, Cathy Walsh, a former member and chair of the Planning and Zoning Commission, said that listening to the proposal made her feel “nauseous,” adding the “moment you pass [this], you open the gates to a runaway train.” 

She implored commissioners to send the plan back to subcommittee before making any decision on the amendment. The idea was introduced in 2023 and subsequently reviewed and revised at several  meetings of the P&Z’s Affordable Housing Subcommittee.

Walsh added that she had never seen Lebowitz “push for anything like this.”

More than affordable housing?

Lebowitz, speaking later at the meeting, said the potential for 30 moratorium points toward affordable housing is what has him “excited” about the potential opened by the text amendment. 

“Do I like the fact that it’s in Baron’s South? No,” he said. “But I love the goal, and I’m willing to try.”

Commissioner Neil Cohn agreed that affordable housing should be a priority.

“We really need to do more,” he said.

But both he and commission member Michael Cammeyer said they would like to see a “holistic plan” for Baron’s South before opening the door to the affordable housing proposal. 

“I hope we consider the entire piece of land,” Cohn said, calling it a “gem.”

Their questions about the future of Baron’s South — largely unchanged since the town acquired the property as open space in 1999 — echoed similar sentiments they expressed at a November subcommittee meeting about taking a more comprehensive view of the land.

Kerri Williams is a freelance writer who has worked in journalism for years, including as a reporter for the Norwalk Hour and managing editor of the Norwalk Citizen-News.