By Kerri Williams

WESTPORT — For some, it’s an idea whose time has come. But several members of the Planning and Zoning Commission and the public questioned the idea of creating affordable housing units on the town-owned Baron’s South property during a public hearing Monday.

The hearing focused on text amendment 849 that would allow five buildings on the 22-acre property to be renovated into 19 to 22 housing units, all of which would be rented in compliance with state-set affordable criteria.

The initiative was introduced at a P&Z subcommittee in July 2023 by Danielle Dobin, who was then the commission chair, and First Selectwoman Jennifer Tooker as a step to help meet the goals of the state-mandated Affordable  Housing Plan adopted in 2022.

The idea was studied at several following several subcommittee meetings before being formulated as the text amendment now before the full commission. It would modify the “Dedicated Open Space and Recreation District” regulations currently applied to Baron’s South.

Commission members voted to continue the discussion at a later meeting after they tour the property and buildings.

Loss of open space a concern

“I’ve been a huge advocate of affordable housing at this location,” said board member Amy Wistreich, pointing out that the Compo Road South property is close to the center of town and public transit routes.

But commissioner Michael Calise said that the open space at Baron’s South is too valuable to use for housing, suggesting the property could be linked with nearby Winslow Park as part of a larger plan. 

“What are we going to do? Chip away [at open space] little by little,” Calise said. “We don’t look at the bigger picture. “It’s very disturbing to me.”

The Baron’s South buildings include the vacant Golden Shadows mansion, one-time home of former Austrian baron, Walter Langer von Langendorff, a chemist who founded Evyan Perfumes, known for its White Shoulders and Golden Shadows scents.

That mansion has been vacant for many years, and several board members and public speakers questioned the feasibility of renovating it.

Potential costs questioned

Kristin Schneeman, a District 9 member of the Representative Town Meeting, said that a town committee previously conducted a study of the Golden Shadows mansion. “They found it would take a million dollars just so the building doesn’t fall down,” she said.

Wistreich brought up the same concern. “Say these buildings cost us a fortune to work on,” she said. She wondered if erecting new structures would be possible under the proposed amendment.

Michelle Perillie, the planning and zoning director, explained that the proposed amendment, as proposed, would allow only for re-use of the existing buildings on the property. She added that town engineering and public works officials have already done “a lot of review” and believe the buildings can be renovated.

Not everyone was convinced. Gloria Gouveia, a longtime resident and land-use consultant, urged the commission to do a “feasibility study” before taking any action. “You could run into problems trying to renovate some of these buildings,” she said.

Many at the meeting, even those initially behind the affordable housing plan, echoed Calise’s concerns about giving up the open space that the town acquired in 1999 for $7 million.

“I have many of the same feelings,” Schneeman said. “This property is too precious to be picked apart.”

Toni Simonetti, a longtime town resident who lives near Baron’s South, agreed. “What Mr. Calise said really resonated,” she said. “Where’s the plan for open space in Westport? Baron’s South is a real treasure.”

She suggested the town might consider creating something similar to Bartlett Arboretum, 80 acres of open space in Stamford. “It’s a wonderful community resource.”

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.