Politics & Government

RTM Committee to Consider New Review Rules

The committee meets at 7 p.m. tonight. It is open to the public.

After a controversial zoning change allowing office space on the first-floor of historic district buildings in downtown Westport was overturned by the Representative Town Meeting, some public officials called for a review of RTM review procedures.

The RTM Rules Committee is now considering some changes to its procedures, as drafted by the Town Attorney's Office with input from other local officials. The committee was originally scheduled to meet last week but was postponed due to the storm emergency. It has been rescheduled to convene at 7 p.m. today in room 309 of Town Hall.

In December, the Planning and Zoning Commission approved a zoning change at the request of real estate investment company Greenfield Partners of Norwalk that would have permitted office space on the first floor of buildings in the Historic Design District Zone, located at Post Road West and Wilton Road. In January, the Representative Town Meeting overturned the P&Z decision, which then led to concerns by some commissioners over the RTM's process and a potential lawsuit that the commission ultimately voted not to pursue.

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Before the lawsuit was taken off the table, some commissioners claimed the RTM "violated rules and standards of land use decision making and deprived the commission of due process."

After a meeting among Town Attorney Ira Bloom, First Selectman Gordon Joseloff, P&Z chairman Ron Corwin and RTM moderator Hadley Rose, Joseloff issued a statement saying he asked the Town Attorney's office to draft suggested rules for the RTM to consider when it reviews P&Z actions.

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The draft resolution and suggested changes are listed below:

 

RESOLVED, that in order to assist in the implementation of Section C10-4 of the Westport Town Charter, the Representative Town Meeting ("RTM") hereby amends the Representative Town Meeting Rules of Procedure by adding the following Article XI.

ARTICLE VIII

REVIEW OF ZONING ACTIONS

162-24  Standard of Review

The RTM review of a Planning and Zoning Action pursuant to Section C10-4 of the Town Charter shall not be strictly limited to a review of the Planning & Zoning Commission ("P&Z") record.  Rather, the RTM shall be permitted to receive additional comments and materials outside of the original record in accordance with the normal RTM procedures.

The RTM review in its legislative capacity will be guided by land use criteria which  govern P&Z actions in such matters.  Those criteria include the Town of Westport's Plan of Conservation and Development and general health, safety and welfare considerations.

All RTM members participating in the review of a P&Z action should become familiar with the P&Z record prior to the RTM meeting, including the audio or video recording of the public hearing and work session along with any written materials submitted to the P&Z.

162-25  Discussion and Debate

Petitioners, P&Z Commission, applicant/property owners, and statutory intervenors shall be granted a reasonable opportunity to speak to the RTM. 

162-26 Additional Information Received

All written materials relevant to the review should be shared with the entire body by providing the Town Clerk with copies for distribution and for public inspection. 

 

 


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