Westport Developer Says Cinema Project is No Trojan Horse

David Waldman, the local developer, says that efforts to change zoning rules to encourage a new community theater in Westport are not a stealth scheme for over-commercialization by developers.

Critics had said that a proposed zoning text amendment could lead to the erosion of Westport’s downtown character.

The Planning and Zoning Commission held its first public meeting on text amendment 637 last week and heard from a stream of residents for and against the change. The Commission will meet again tonight to discuss the alteration, which it brought forward as part of an ongoing effort to revitalize the downtown area.

Some amendments critics "very wrongfully accused me of somehow using it as a Trojan horse for future projects which is as far from the truth as it could possibly be,’’ said Waldman, in an interview with Patch.

``As a developer, granted, I am out to make a profitable venture in the developments I put together but I live here,’’ said Waldman, who is founder and owner of David Adam Realty. ``I breathe this town. I care about Westport.’’

Critics of the text amendment include Save Westport Now. At the P&Z meeting Sept. 8, Connie Greenfield of the group said the amendment ``is a dream for developers and a zoning nightmare for the rest of us.’’

The text describes a Theater Overlay Zone, which would allow two buildings of up to 60 feet and also loosen floor space and parking requirements.

Jonathan Steinberg, president of the Westport Cinema Initiative and also State Representative for Westport, told Patch there is no plot to change Westport ``in some sort of stealthy manner.’’

Steinberg and Waldman reiterated that the 60 feet provision in the amendment was not something that the cinema group had requested. Steinberg said the height provision relates to the how tall a `stacked’ theater, constructed on top of an existing one story building, might be.

Steinberg said the WCI didn’t foresee ``that this would be the lightning rod for the entire proposal.’’ 

In any case, said Waldman, ``we don’t need the 60 feet.’’ His proposed structure, which would sit behind popular eating spot Tavern on Main, would house the new not-for-profit theater and Westport Arts Center. The site is currently a private parking lot belonging to Tavern owner Philip Teuscher.

Waldman said Mr Teuscher could gift the land, which he is not allowed to develop, to the Westport Cinema Initiative and Westport Arts Center, which is also a non-profit enterprise and is currently on Riverside Avenue.  

The theater structure would not be higher than the existing building, Waldman said. Local architect Rick Hoag carried out a plan for the site for WCI and Waldman. Hoag said at the first P&Z meeting that a structure above the new Nike building on Main Street would also be feasible.

``I think everybody is 100 percent behind the idea’’ of a cinema, said Waldman. ``A lot of people fear what happens if it doesn’t succeed.’’

Waldman said if the theater fails then developers should not be able to swoop in. ``If it doesn’t work, and if it fails and you can’t find a use in keeping with what you zoned it for - get rid of it,’’ he said. ``It’s just bricks and mortar. Tear it down.’’

Waldman, who grew up in Westport, has faced vocal critics before. In late 2006 and early 2007 he bought and razed a property on Minute Man Hill, which some preservationists argued was architecturally significant and should be saved.

He also planned to get rid of Sherwood House on Church Lane as part of a redevelopment project. After consultations, he changed the project and moved the historic property.

Renovations at Sherwood House are well underway and a new restaurant from the owners of the Gray Goose Café in Southport is schedule to open in March 2012. Waldman said he is likely to move his office from the Patagonia building, which his firm restored, to the second story of Sherwood House. Next door, the Waldman’s two-story building for trendy clothing chain Urban Outfitters is taking shape.

David Adam Realty also owns the new GAP building at 125 Main Street with Acadia Realtor Trust. Brooks Brothers Women is due to open there in October, along with a new Blaine Rice hair salon.The building also has space for a restaurant tenant.