By James Lomuscio

UPDATE Tesla tonight moved closer to opening up a service center and perhaps eventually a dealership at 176 Post Road West, the site of the former the former Dragone Classic Car showroom.

The property at 176 Post Road West that was home most recently to Dragone Classic Cars.. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Westport’s Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) by a 5-2 vote approved a text amendment that would facilitate a special permit-site plan application that would allow the Tesla facility. Chip Stephens and Al Gratrix dissented. State legislators have yet to allow Tesla to have dealerships in Connecticut.

Once the text amendment is legally effective, the P&Z will vote on the site plan, a vote which is expected at its December meeting.

In discussing the text amendment, Eric D. Bernheim, attorney for property owner applicant 176 Post Road West LLC, did not say Tesla by name, referring to it only as an electric vehicle (EV) automobile dealership, which does not include hybrids.

Artistex Salon and Spa opens in early November at 260 Post Road East, Colonial Green, opposite the Saugatuck Congregational Church, according to owner Odete DaSilva. The business is relocating from 190 Main St., the strip of shops anchored by Joe’s Pizza and Faye Kim Designs. The new space, according to DaSilva, will be three times the size of the space her business currently occupies and will employ 24 operators compared to eight at her present location. The new shop offers services for hair styling, nails, skin, massage and waxing. The new space was previously occupied by Joseph A. Bank Clothiers, Inc. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Peloton, a home fitness equipment and “athleisure” apparel business, has opened at 58 Main St. Store manager Marc Sternemann said Peloton’s fitness equipment offers built-in monitors that offers live or on-demand instructor training so the fitness enthusiast has the opportunity to experience his or her own home fitness center. The Westport store is the second in the state, the other located in West Hartford.The space was previously occupied by Sperry, which closed in December 2016 after less than three years at that location. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

With Tesla eyeing the former Dragone Classic Car showroom on Post Road West, a text amendment and a site plan application for an electric vehicle (EV) dealership are set to be heard by Westport’s Planning & Zoning Commission (P&Z) Thursday, officials announced.

The former Dragone Classic Motors property at 176 Post Road West. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

“The application to locate an EV automobile dealership to 176 Post Road West is contingent upon approval of the text amendment,” said Planning and Zoning Director Mary Young, adding that the P&Z will hear both applications simultaneously.

Attorney Eric Bernheim of Halloran and Sage submitted text amendment 755 to modify zoning regulations to facilitate an EV dealership locating in Westport.

A companion special permit and site plan application submitted by Peter Romano of LandTech asks to locate the EV business to 176 Post Road West.

Bird, a hair salon for women as well as men and children, has opened at 1320 Post Road East, next door to the Kohler store. Co-owned by Norwalk residents Kimberly Melanson and Vasili Giasimakis (above), the salon is open Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The co-owners invite the public to a grand opening celebration on Wednesday, Nov. 7, 6 to 9 p.m. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com