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Health & Fitness

Westport P&Z Responded to Residents' Needs in Wake of Superstorm Sandy

The Westport Planning and Zoning Commission jumped into action on behalf of Westport residents following Superstorm Sandy.

It is no secret that sometimes government moves slowly, even on important and pressing issues.  Fortunately for Westport, this was not the case following the devastation of last year’s Superstorm Sandy. Instead, last November, in the immediate aftermath of the storm, the Westport Planning and Zoning Commission took meaningful action to help Westport residents affected by the storm.

At their first meeting following Sandy, the P&Z discussed the difficulties shoreline residents faced when rebuilding their homes in compliance with both FEMA and town zoning regulations.  P&Z Commissioner Jack Whittle asserted that the issue of how the town's zoning regulations may be impacting residents’ efforts to rebuild was a matter that required the Commission's immediate attention.  His concerns were shared by other P&Z members, including Republican Chairwoman Cathy Walsh, who immediately formed a subcommittee, chaired by Whittle and joined by members Chip Stephens, Al Gratrix and Tim Wetmore, to analyze the issues and make recommendations to the P&Z Commission. 

The Flood Regulations Subcommittee held two meetings where town residents, local architects, builders and other citizens actively participated.  This productive effort resulted in an amendment of the Town's Zoning Regulations to address the issues faced by residents in low-lying coastal areas in rebuilding their homes and raising them above the new "base flood elevation", as required by FEMA. The subcommittee also heard from the Fire Marshall regarding the severe environmental damage caused by fuel storage tanks that were dislodged by the storm surge, spilling their contents. 

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The result was Text Amendment #656, which addressed these issues by: (1) Providing relief from maximum building height regulations for residential structures proportionate to the amount which the building needed to be lifted up above the base flood elevation, up to five additional feet;  (2) Providing relief for stairways and landings, which often need to be created, repositioned or extended when a home is raised, from setback and coverage requirements; and (3) Requiring above-ground fuel storage tanks to be properly secured.

Essentially, the new rules allow Westport shoreline residents to be FEMA compliant without having to lose living space in their homes, and without reducing their home values.  The rules also provide environmental protections that benefit our whole community. The Text Amendment was promptly passed by the full P&Z Commission, which allowed residents to get to work on their homes.  Now, nearly two-dozen homes in Westport’s shoreline community are in the process of raising their structures to meet FEMA requirements. 

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“Many of us heard from a number of affected residents in the days following Sandy's devastation, and we realized there was an immediate need for some relief from certain aspects of our zoning regulations when these residents went to rebuild their homes and raise them as required by FEMA,” noted Subcommittee Chairman Jack Whittle.   “I am proud of how we, working cooperatively with residents and local professionals, were able to move quickly and provide relief under our zoning regulations to allow the impacted homeowners to rebuild their homes and lift them out of harm's way.” 

This is what it looks like when government works.  The Planning and Zoning Commission members, including Chairwoman Cathy Walsh and Subcommittee Chairman Jack Whittle, should be commended for their commitment and responsiveness to Westport residents.  

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