Baron’s South Corner Sold to Bank for $5.8 Million

15 thoughts on “Baron’s South Corner Sold to Bank for $5.8 Million”

1. Comrade, I agree that another bank seems extraneous. In fact, I think we should have the government, not some capitalistic pig determine the best use for land and confiscate the property in question with minimal or no compensation to the owner if need be.
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   If I asked most people to donate their house so the town could have more open space, I doubt I would get many takers.

   The whiners out there could have bought the property themselves and left it as is…. but they didn’t.

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2. Although it is too late for this property, perhaps the town needs to set a moratorium for bank properties, not unlike New Canaan has done.

   In this year where banks are downsizing and consolidating, the last thing Westport needs is a ghost town of empty properties with lease signs dangling in the breeze.

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3. That will be such a beautiful addition to town. Much better than the open grass and trees currently there. I hope we can quickly sell Winslow and make that corner 4 for 4 for banks. Never know when you will need one.

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4. Lucky us…we’re getting another Bank!!  Maybe putting so many banks on the corners is a new Westport game – let’s see which bank is the last one standing after some of them have financial problems or get bought by other banks.

   Talk about the most uncreative usage for this piece of property.  We live in a world where we talk about “doing the right thing”, “going green” and “being environmentally responsible”…but in the end, the prior owners of Baron’s South property were just motivated by greed – what else is new.

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5. I’m not sure that the town or the government should dictate the “best use” for the land, but I do think that people should have a slightly higher consciousness and just to sell to the another bank.

   I think banks should be required to put 1 to 3 other social business around the bank….perhaps a small restaurant, a dance studio and/or a clothing shop.  That way it diversifies the overall property and creates a microcosm within its bank-environment.

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6. As one of the whiners and at the same time one of the “capitalistic pigs” referred to by Mr. Greenberg, I intend to vote with my wallet and if I ever had considered opening an account at FAIRFIELD COUNTY BANK, that would not happen and if I had an account at FAIRFIELD COUNTY BANK, I would close it immediately. Maybe the “capitalistic pigs” at the bank would understand a little better that we don’t need every corner in Westport paved and don’t need more banks lining our roads.

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7. Dreadful news, horribly depressing.  All my worst thoughts to Fairfield County Bank – know that your office building and drive-in bank branch are not welcome here, and may you go under soon.

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8. Not another bank!  I agree with the sentiments expressed by the others.  Don’t know what we can do, however, about this loss of a lovely little green corner.  Any ideas?

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9. And don’t TELL me that they are going to take down those magnificent old trees, for a stupid bank branch. How far will developers go in their quest to gut and uglify this town?

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10. Gee, and just today I saw a teller standing outside of Commerce Bank on Main Street like an old-fashioned barker, with brochures and lollipops trying to entice customers to come on in. 

    How long will it be before the new Fairfield County Bank has clowns running out onto the Post Road with balloons and CrackerJacks for all the drivers whizzing by?  (After they cut down all the trees on the property, of course.)

    Our P&Z;Commissioners should be ashamed of themselves letting another absurd development destroy another corner of Westport. 

    Oh, and by the way, they really overpaid for that property too!  It had been on the market for years and years because it was so overpriced.  But I’m sure the bank will pass the expense of that overindulgence along to their customers too.

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11. I just sent the following to westport news and hope others will also speak out since FAIRFIELD COUNTY BANK probably has no idea of this web site:

    The Fairfield County Bank recently announced plans to build a branch and drive-through in the Baron’s South property at the corner of the Post Road and Compo Road. Right now this corner is an open field of grass and trees. Placing an unnecessary bank branch there would destroy one of the few remaining open spots in town. There are many disturbing things that we are helpless to prevent. This is not one of them. I urge all those who care to preserve open space to avoid FAIRFIELD COUNTY BANK and anyone with an account at FAIRFIELD COUNTY BANK to tell the bank that you are closing your account in protest of this preposterous plan. They might pay attention if it affects their bottom line.

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12. What ever happend to the “PLAN” in Planning & Zoning?  Another bank…I mean really…this is ridiculous.  Is anyone at Town Hall paying attention..hint hint.

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13. Farifield County Bank going to ZBA next Tuesday for some approvals related with their plans for its bank.  What is the hardship? 

    From ZBA Legal Notice
    The Zoning Board of Appeals of Westport will hold a Public Hearing in Town Hall, 110 Myrtle Avenue on Tuesday, September 9, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. in the Auditorium to hear the following applications seeking relief from the zoning laws of Westport:

    1.    #6745         20 Compo Road South,  John Fallon/Fairfield County Bank Corp,:  Variance of Sec. 24-8.2 (floor area exceeds 25% floor area ratio), Sec. 24-11 (parking and loading), Sec. 34-5 (for parking requirements); To permit conversion of 1,000 square feet of crawl space into a cellar for use as storage and break room in a GBD/Res. A zone (PID#D09047000).

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14. John. How much do you want to wager that the ZBA will deny this request? I will give you 100-1 odds. I actually remember learning about plans to build this bank at the corner of Compo and Post Road at our own ZBA hearing when the ZBA denied our request to extend the antique barn on the Cross Highway Garage. We needed an extension so we could install a heating system to make the barn functional. They suggested that we could take down the barn, dig a basement to install the equipment, and then rebuild the old structure. After being denied in our request (by the only town board who ever opposed our requests to preserve the structures) I remember hearing how receptive they were to granting the bank’s application to build on that corner. It amazed and disgusted me but after the treatment we received, unfortunately it didn’t surprise me. I am sure nobody will read this comment (except for others who have commented on this article) since the original article is so old. I only learned of yours because WestportNow alerted me that you commented. It is also ironic that the bank is requesting to convert 1000 sq ft of crawl space into a cellar for a “break” room (i.e. lunchroom??) and storage. Pretty similar to the relief we were requesting to preserve an antique barn.

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15. Michael,
    Will be interesting to watch. Ask almost anyone in town if they think a bank should go there and they will say no. But what should happen and what could (legally) happen are often at odds.
    Drove by the Cross Highway Garage Friday.  You guys are really doing an amazing job. Looks fantastic. Thanks for persevering.

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