Westport's P&Z to Consider Changes to Inclusionary Housing Zone Regulations

Westport's Planning and Zoning Commission will review on Thursday a text amendment to the zoning regulations concerning the Inclusionary Housing Zone (IHZ).

The amendment -- Amendment No. 660 -- was submitted by Attorney Lawrence Weisman and planning consultant Mel Barr in an effort to modify the zoning regulations to make changes to the IHZ, Planning and Zoning Director Laurence Bradley said.

The IHZ was adopted by the Planning and Zoning Commission in 2010 to permit multi-family housing on properties that are split between commercial and residential zones, according to Bradley.

"The IHZ also requires that at least 20 percent of the dwelling units be designated as affordable housing," he added.

The proposed amendment makes the following requests: 

• Allow IHZ properties have three curb cuts instead of two on corner lots;
• Allow some of the parking for the commercial uses in the residential portion of the property on corner lots;
• Allow some of the parking to be located in the front instead of the rear of the building on corner lots.

“These changes are required in order to encourage and indeed, to permit, the use of the IHZ on corner lots and to eliminate the disparity which limits or prevents application of the regulation to otherwise qualified corner lots," according to the applicant's proposal.

"These provisions will help promote mixed use projects when properties along the Post Road are redeveloped.”

Those interested in the provisions of the amendment should attend the Planning and Zoning Commission's public hearing at 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 13, at Westport Town Hall. Copies of the amendments are available for viewing in Town Hall both in the Planning and Zoning 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.