By Kerri Williams

WESTPORT – A public hearing for a four-lot subdivision on Old Road was continued by town planners for a third time on Monday following additional concerns from neighbors and some commissioners. The hearing had already been continued from a Planning & Zoning Commission meeting in September and again on Oct. 7.

Earlier in the hearing, Chairman Paul Lebowitz said he would be willing to vote on the open- space subdivision application with the condition that a structural engineer sign off on the design of a new private roadway and bridge on the property. The independent review was called for by some commissioners because there is no structural engineer in the town’s department.

“We have had three meetings on what is a pretty standard subdivision that we pass routinely in town,” Lebowitz said. 

Private road with permeable surface

The subdivision is proposed for 6.1 acres of land at 107 Old Road owned by George Tsionis. Two acres would be preserved as open space, and a private road would be constructed out of permeable pavers, which would be raised up with a pre-cast retaining wall on either side in order not to disturb wetlands on the site.

Several commissioners said they wanted to keep the hearing open until the structural review is complete and other questions are answered.

Serious concerns

“I have serious concerns about the roadway,” said commissioner Michael Calise. In all three meetings, neighbors and some commissioners have cited concerns about the permeable surface being used for the private road, which has not been used on other roadways in town.

“Still fine”

But Andy Soumelidis, a partner in LandTech Consultants, reiterated that many towns in Fairfield County encourage the use of permeable pavement.  Towns like Greenwich started using the surface 10 years ago “and it’s still holding up fine,” he said, adding that the reason it’s not used more often is that it is cost prohibitive.

In his presentation, Soumelidis outlined how he believes the application meets all the requirements for an open space subdivision. In addition, the revised landscaping plan calls for more than 100 trees, including rows of evergreens that will screen the roadway and the retaining wall from neighbors. Other trees will be added on the eastern and northern sides of the property. 

Joe Feinleib, the principal of Coastal Luxury Homes, which will be building on the property, spoke for the first time during public comments on Monday.  

“We get along with all of our neighbors,” Feinleib said of the company, offering to put in any screening that neighbors ask for. “I am not a fly-by-night builder. I put a lot of pride in what I build.” He added that he is a Westport resident and intends to stay in town.

Access to open space?

Neighbors who spoke out against the project reiterated concerns about the maintenance of the new roadway and screening for their properties, with some also wondering if the open space would be accessible to neighbors or the public.

Soumelidis said the open space would not have public access, being owned and used by the owners of the homes on the property.

Flooding concerns

Some neighbors and commissioner Patrizia Zucaro also brought up concerns that the roadway construction could cause flooding on neighboring properties. “I would like to see a report from an expert regarding the waterways upstream and downstream that this will have no impact to neighbors,” Zucaro said.

Soumelidis countered that drainage should be improved by the plan, which has already been approved by the Conservation Commission and the Flood and Erosion Control Board.

Town engineer Ted Gill had reported that if the applicant followed the plan, the drainage would not get worse, according to P&Z Director Michelle Perillie. She added that Gill is known to be conservative when looking at applications.