By Kerri Williams

WESTPORT – The Planning & Zoning Commission had what members called a “productive” meeting on Monday, making decisions on two text amendments and three other applications.

The commission passed TA 859, concerning historic structures, covered here. 

They also voted unanimously in favor of text amendment 860 (easing the permitting of accessory buildings), approved the relocation of Bluepoint Wellness to 345 Post Road West and approved an application for reducing the number of parking spaces at 136 Main Street.

Bluepoint Wellness

The application for Bluepoint Wellness of Westport, a medical marijuana dispensary, had been somewhat controversial at the commission’s previous hearing, with people coming out both in favor and against the move. Bluepoint’s lease at 1460 Post Road East was not renewed during a planned renovation for that property.

Before the vote, some commissioners explained their reasoning in approving the Bluepoint move.

“It meets the standards it needs to meet,” said member Craig Schiavone. “Medical marijuana serves a number of people in our community.” She went on to say that Westporters should have compassion for those who utilize the business.

Commissioner Breanne Injeski agreed. “This is such a regulated industry,” she said. “To me, it is not a risk. They have proven themselves to be a good neighbor and a good business.”

Originally, Commissioner John Bolton stated some reservations about the application, but he and other members voted 5-0 in favor of allowing the move.

Parking at 136 Main Street

Commissioners also passed a different application, involving a reduced number of parking spaces at 136 Main St. The property, now known as “Main and Elm, but previously tagged “Brooks Corners,’ reconfigured the parking lot–but without prior approval from the Zoning Board of Appeals or the P&Z. 

Michael Sambuceti, of Aubuchon Realty Company, who came before the board on Monday, said the decision to “modernize” the lot, reducing the number of parking spaces from 35 to 26, came out of safety concerns. He told the commission that there were 11 accidents in the lot between 2020 and 2023, compared to no accidents once the lot was redone. The work had already been retroactively approved by the ZBA.

“You are before us because you didn’t come before us,” P&Z Chairman Paul Lebowitz said during the public hearing. Coming back later for approval, he said, is “not the Westport way.” 

Sambuceti did not defend the oversight. “We have no excuses,” he said. “We need to be acting better.”

The commission voted 5-0 to approve the parking lot upgrade.

According to Amy Wistreich, Second Selectwoman, the lot at 136 Main Street is privately owned and thus is not a candidate for finding the 20 spaces needed to make up for the spaces lost when Parker Harding is brought up to code.

Text Amendment 860

In other business, commissioners approved Text Amendment 860, submitted by LandTech, which allows for exemptions in the excavation and fill review for accessory buildings or structures. While such projects would still be reviewed fully by the town engineering department, they will not need to come before the commission.

Curt Lowenstein, a project manager from LandTech, told the commission that the amendment would streamline the approval process, making it more likely for residents to consider small projects on their property. 

As many of the projects are low-impact, Lowenstein said that the extra step is rarely necessary. “It can be a deterrent for these minor projects,” he said.

Lowenstein also said that these small projects are often “jamming up the agendas” of the commission. 

On all the applications, the commission voted unanimously to approve. Those present were John Bolton, Michael Calise, Breanne Injeski, Paul Lebowitz and Craig Schiavone.  

Alternate Michael Valante attended the first portion of the meeting. Michael Cammeyer and Patrizia Zucaro were not present.

Kerri Williams

^{_{Kerri Williams is an award-winning writer and journalist. She has worked as a reporter at the Norwalk Hour, as Living editor at the Darien News-Review, and managing editor for the Norwalk Citizen-News. For Westport Journal, she is a reporter as well as a gardening columnist, writing “Cultivating with Kerri.” She recently published her first children’s book – “Mabel’s Big Move,” based on her daughter with special needs.}}