By Thane Grauel

WESTPORT — The Planning and Zoning Commission on Monday endorsed a plan by the town to extend the lease for the outfit running the Inn at Longshore another 30 years.

The inn is at town-owned Longshore Park, considered by many a crown jewel of Westport. It has a golf course, sailing school, pool and tennis courts. It’s on the shore of Saugatuck Harbor.

The commission has to approve changes in use for town-owned properties under state statute 8-24. As Planning and Zoning Director Mary Young pointed out, that’s where the “planning” part of planning and zoning comes in.

The administration has been pleased with the latest company running the inn, Longshore Hospitality, which still has six years on its lease.

The amended lease would commit Longshore Hospitality to $8 million in improvements to the inn. The decades-long lease would allow the company to benefit from that investment, and, officials say, also work out well for taxpayers.

“They have a proven track record in the leisure and hospitality business and we are very lucky to have a professional manager on site, and also a Westporter,” First Selectwoman Jennifer Tooker told the commission Monday.

The lease amendment was cleared by the Board of Finance last month.

The Planning and Zoning Commission received a couple letters from neighbors expressing concerns about noise from events that went late into the night, but no neighbors spoke at the meeting.

Commission member Marcia Falk mentioned that, and said she was concerned about the very long plan for the inn, and that the procedure was being rushed.

“I really feel the community, Westport residents, should be given the opportunity to put this out to the greater real estate universe,” Falk said. “And see if other organizations and companies can come up with another approach …”

Chairwoman Danielle Dobin said she supports the lease, but had concerns about its capital improvement fund. She noted it spells out how much of the inn’s revenue should go to the fund, but …

“It’s somewhat incomplete,” Dobin said. “What’s missing is a schedule showing what they’re obligated to use it for. And that’s what I would strongly, strongly suggest be included.”

A long exchange between Dobin and Town Attorney Ira Bloom ensued.

“Danielle, you want a schedule of things to be done in 27 years?” Bloom asked.

“There is a new fund that’s being created here,” Dobin said. “But there’s nothing in there that requires it to be spent.”

The vote to submit a positive recommendation to the first selectwoman was 6-1, with Falk voting against.

Thane Grauel, executive editor, grew up in Westport and has been a journalist in Fairfield County and beyond more than three decades. Reach him at editor@westportjournal.com. Learn more about us here.