Commission OKs Flood Regs, Tables Affordable Housing

It was a night to consider flood regulations, outdoor dining and affordable housing for the Planning and Zoning Commission Thursday.

To comply with new requirements set by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection, the commission approved 5-0 changes to the flood regulations, which expands the flood zone FEMA maps. The new maps expand to an extra 200 properties in addition to the 2,000 that were already in the flood zone. The changes were necessary for Westport to continue to participate in the national flood insurance program.

The changes also require that if residents or developers fill a driveway or take volume out of the flood zone area, they must compensate for that with an equal amount of storage elsewhere.

Planning and Zoning Director Laurence Bradley said during the meeting that the town engineer had sent the commission a letter expressing concern as to the feasibility, practicality and expense of the "compensatory storage" section of the regulation that could cause a "heavy burden" on property owners.

Commission chair Ron Corwin said the body would keep track of the issue and asked staff to draft a letter that could be sent to legislators about the concern.

OUTDOOR DINING

Though the commission did not vote on new outdoor dining regulations Thursday night, it agreed to move forward on the amendment and closed the public hearing.

The commission will continue to discuss the changes at a future meeting.

The amendment would expand outdoor dining opportunities for restaurants and retail food establishments.

In addition to expanded seating and the eased restrictions on outdoor dining, the regulation allows for extended hours of operation.

Kevin Burns, owner of River House Bistro on Riverside Avenue, praised the commission for the changes and asked that it consider allowing music to also be played outside.

"As a small business owner and Westport resident, this is great ," he said. "You guys are being proactive here and you are trying to help these businesses, especially the restaurant business. It's not a secret why restaurants in Westport are dropping like flies. Fairfield and Norwalk are destinations for restaurants and you can eat outside and on sidewalks. Thank you for considering this."

AFFORDABLE HOUSING

After a lengthy discussion on an affordable housing amendment that's been in the works for about three years, the commission decided to take a little more time on the proposal before moving it forward.

The commission seemed to have a problem with one aspect of the amendment — whether affordable housing should be done by a special permit only or through a rezoning.

Commissioner Eleanor Lowenstein said a special permit would control the volume of multi-family housing projects. 

Commissioner Michael Krawiec argued that in residential areas, properties need to be rezoned for affordable housing to ensure residents retain their rights  to protest and appeal.

The commission decided to re-work portions of the amendment and would bring it back for consideration next week.