Editor’s note: following is an opinion submitted by Richard W. Redniss, Principal Planner of land use engineering and consulting firm Redniss & Mead.

I wholeheartedly agree with Paul Lebowitz, the Chairman of Westport’s Planning and Zoning Commission (PZC), as stated in his June 21 OpEd on John Bolton’s grossly misleading OpEd piece, published the same day. However, I call it a “good start.”

Bolton’s repeated myths about my participation are easily debunked by reviewing the record. It is just one of the many claims that are contrary to the truth. He again, in print this time, calls me out “for misleading the commission a year and a half earlier”. This is because the original public notice included Special Needs Housing. At that time (2024) we were working with the town administration to build Special Needs Housing on another town owned property. That became overly complicated, so I officially withdrew that part of the application. When we finally got to the hearing and were there working with Homes With Hope with “traditional” affordable housing, he called me out because it was not for Special Needs. Despite being informed and corrected on the record during the hearing, he refused to accept the facts and continued to repeat his erroneous claims of my “misleading” them.

A review of the record also clearly shows that prior to the final referenced vote a majority of the PZC favored approval if offsite housing was only for Special Needs. The motion on the table was not limited to Special Needs so it failed. All it would have taken was for Mr. Bolton or any other PZC member to propose an amendment to the motion to limit the offsite for Special Needs only. The votes were clearly there. My returning with the recent application just reflected what the majority indicated they wanted. It had nothing to do with him resigning.

More important to readers than refuting his other many deceptive suggestions is that he failed to understand or convey the facts as presented by experts.

The decision to expand the definition of “special needs” was made to create a more inclusive and sustainable housing model that reflects the diversity of individuals with disabilities while also aligning with Connecticut’s approach to integrated community living.

Historically, many definitions of disability and special needs housing have focused heavily on individuals with intellectual disabilities as defined by an IQ threshold. However, disability is much broader than a single measurement. Many individuals with disabilities, including people with autism, developmental disabilities, and other support needs, may have an IQ above 70 but still require assistance with independent living skills, navigating daily activities, building community connections, accessing resources, or maintaining long-term housing stability.

The expansion of the definition allows Westport to address this unmet need by creating a housing community that welcomes individuals who may need varying levels of support. This approach recognizes that support needs are based on the whole person, not simply an IQ score.

This was also important because of Connecticut’s housing requirements related to integrated settings and the limitation that no more than 25% of residents in a housing development can be individuals who meet the state-defined, below 70 IQ, special needs criteria. Repeat: no MORE than 25% is a state requirement. While establishing special needs housing, Abilis learned that the Connecticut Department of Developmental Services will not fund more than 25% of the residents below 70 IQ. Mr. Bolton’s conspiracy type claims lack factual underpinning. As pointed out by Mr. Lebowitz, adopting Mr. Bolton’s ill-conceived uneducated compromise of 50% of the future residents having an IQ of less than 70 would likely have killed any hope that future special needs housing would be established in Westport beyond the highly successful 136 Riverside Avenue redevelopment (which was created as a result of a different off-site satisfaction of affordable housing).

By creating a broader and more inclusive definition, Westport is able to develop a model that brings together individuals with different abilities and support needs while encouraging natural support, mentorship, friendships, and shared community resources. The goal is not to create a place apart from the community, but to create a place that is part of the community.

This model recognizes that inclusion benefits everyone. Abilis is now able to plan and create affordable housing replicating the 136 Riverside success story. Individuals with disabilities will have opportunities for greater independence, connection, and belonging, while the broader community benefits from the relationships, contributions, and diversity that come from neighbors supporting one another.

Westport has moved beyond the outdated view of disability and encourages a more modern, inclusive housing approach—one that recognizes ability, promotes independence, and ensures that more people have the opportunity to live in a safe, affordable, and supportive community.

Richard W. Redniss, FAICP
Principal Planner
Redniss & Mead