As Westport Planning and Zoning commissioners who voted in opposition to the resolution to sue the RTM, we are dismayed by the P&Z's actions and embarrassed for the Town of Westport.  This action makes a mockery of the P&Z Commission's credibility. 

We support the RTM's decision to overturn the P&Z's recent decision.  We welcome their review of any P&Z decision modifying the zoning regulations.  The checks and balances of our political system are extremely important.  If a P&Z decision is overturned by a 2/3 vote of the RTM than the P&Z Commissioners should take a deep breath and reevaluate their decision.  Clarification of the RTM's review process may be warranted but the proper venue is not a court room but a public meeting amongst these elected bodies.

Residents should be aware of the following:

1. Commissioners Corwin, Lowenstein, Lathrop and Press ("Four Commissioners") acted in complete disregard and against the Town Attorney's legal advice.
2. The Four Commissioners explicitly voted against a motion which provided for not suing the RTM butting sitting down with them to resolve their concerns in a cordial manner.
3. The claim that this is about protecting individual rights should be questioned.  The timing of the filing of the suit (within 15 day appeal period) could result in the court reviewing the RTM decision. 
4. Some P&Z commissioner's concern about the power of the RTM has been known for some time.  Corwin and Lowenstein have stated publically their concerns with residents exercising their rights under the Town Charter to appeal certain zoning decisions to the RTM.  They have drafted changes to the zoning regulations in ways that would intentionally circumvent residents right to appeal to the RTM.  The tension between select members of the P&Z and the RTM began well before the RTM's recent hearings as evidence by the public record.
5. The resolution to sue the RTM was a surprise to some of the commissioners having been circulated to the entire commission only an hour before the meeting.  This resolution was apparently the result of numerous private conversations amongst a select group of commissioners which ignores the idea of open and transparent government. 
6. Corwin's statements about hiring a private attorney to represent the P&Z Commission to be paid for with private contributions is concerning.  Who is this attorney?  Private contributions from whom?    These two commissioners would like to know since we are apparently out of the loop.
7. Corwin's statement during the meeting that "people gave money and contributed to us to get these things done" is alarming.  This should be examined.

We encourage residents to watch the P&Z's meeting of January 21^st (available on the town's Web site) with the relevant portion beginning at 1:20.

We welcome the First Selectman's involvement to diffuse the issue provided all discussions are done on the public record.  This battle is more about protecting turf, power and individual egos than protecting individual rights.  We encourage residents to contact the Selectman's office and the RTM to express their opinions. 

Michael Krawiec and Catherine Walsh are commissioners of the Planning and Zoning Commission. They, along with commissioner Nora Jinishian, voted against the decision to sue the RTM.

Editor's Note: Westport Patch welcomes letters to the editor. To submit a letter, please e-mail liz@patch.com.