By Kerri Williams

WESTPORT – The Planning and Zoning Commission got an early look at a plan for a housing development at 6 East Main St. on Monday that would require a text amendment to be approved.

In the pre-app, or an informal discussion before an actual proposal, commissioners were given details about an eight-unit development in the works for the .4-acre parcel that would be on the one-way road also known as a “collector road.” 

Cindy Tyminski presented the pre-app for property owner Domenico Antonelli. Tyminski said that, even though it is in the General Business District, the land is more suited for housing than commercial use. The one-way street does not have an outlet on Post Road E.  

Office and retail

The two buildings on the site are currently used for office and retail. The main building dates back to 1787, according to town records. The property is nestled behind the eastern portion of the Compo Shopping Center (behind Cohen’s Fashion Optical). 

The proposed development would include eight residential three-bedroom units in one three-story building, with 25 parking spaces. Two of the units, or at least 20 percent, must be deed restricted as affordable under the state statute for affordable housing, 8-30-g.

Text amendment necessary

For an entirely residential project to proceed, the P&Z would need to make a text amendment to section 32 of the zoning ordinance saying that no minimum commercial requirement would be necessary on properties with only frontage on collector roads. A collector road, such as East Main St., channels traffic between local roads and arterial roads. 

Because the text change would only apply to collector roads, it would not affect properties on the Post Road.

Opportunity

Michelle Perillie, director of Planning & Zoning, told commissioners she sees the plan as an opportunity to create additional affordable housing for the town. 

While commissioners cannot formally vote on a pre-app, several gave favorable feedback for the plan. Board Chair Paul Lebowitz added that the one-way road the parcel is on is “not very good for commercial” uses.

“I think this is a small ask,” Lebowitz said “Few uses would be successful. What they are presenting is a good use of the property.”