This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Politics & Government

Calise Vows to Fight Affordable Housing Amendments

Westport resident Michael Calise is reportedly continuing his fight against two recently passed affordable housing amendments designed to increase the amount of affordable housing in town.

Despite a court ruling that his case is without merit, Westport resident Michael Calise is reportedly continuing his legal fight against two recently passed affordable housing amendments designed to increase the amount of affordable housing in town.

During a Planning & Zoning meeting at Town Hall Wednesday, Calise reportedly vowed to overturn the amendments, which were adopted by the Planning & Zoning Commission last year. The amendments stipulate that all new construction of apartments and condominiums in designated commercial districts must have at least 20 percent of the units designated as affordable.

According to a report in WestportNow, Calise, who owns property at 215 Post Road West, argues that the amendments are unfair to property owners who previously had the legal right to develop their properties with 100 percent market rate units, if they so chose.

Find out what's happening in Westportwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Calise reportedly said the amendments, which affect development in several business zones around town, are being too broadly applied, and should only apply to the downtown business district.

Judge David R. Tobin reportedly tossed out Calise’s suit earlier this month, saying it did not demonstrate that the text amendments unfairly singled him out; and that the burden to provide affordable housing was distributed evenly among all property owners in the zones, according to the WestportNow report.

Find out what's happening in Westportwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

In December Calise , asking the RTM to repeal the amendments. The .

Calise has reportedly vowed to fight the amendments until he prevails.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?