Westport P&Z to Hold Meeting About Raising Flood Zone Homes

Westport Planning & Zoning Director Laurence Bradley announced that the Planning & Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing on Dec. 20 on a text amendment about raising homes in flood zones.

Amendment No. 656 was developed by a subcommittee of Planning & Zoning Commission to help make it easier for property owners who live in flood zones to elevate their existing houses, Bradley said.

“Many of the houses in the coastal areas of Westport are located in flood zones,” he said.  “Also, many of them are built on very small lots and thus do not comply with setback or coverage regulations.  Additionally, many of these areas have a 26 foot height limit.”

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Bradley said the commission, by adopting the proposed regulations, will grant relief to many of these properties with respect to height, coverage and setbacks so that homes can be elevated above the 100-year flood level without asking for variances from the Zoning Board of Appeals.

The changes include the following: height in some cases may be increased to 31 feet, the need for increased stair and entries will allow up to 225 square feet of additional coverage, and some setbacks are reduced to five feet.

There is also a provision in the amendment recommend by the Fire Department for the securing of above ground oil and propane tanks, Bradley said.

Those interested in these amendments are encouraged to attend the Planning & Zoning Commission’s public hearing on Dec. 20 at 7 p.m. in the Westport Town Hall.

Copies of the amendments are available for viewing in Town Hall both in the P&Z Office and in the office of the Town Clerk.

The commission can receive written comments from the public in advance of the hearing. Once the hearing is closed, no more information or comments will be accepted.