By James Lomuscio

A developer has submitted plans for five-story, 200-unit housing complex at the site of the Westport Inn on Post Road East. Thirty percent of the units would be deemed affordable.

Under submitted plans, the Westport Inn on Post Road East would be replaced by a 200-unit housing complex. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

The submission has raised concerns that use of state statute 8-30g to build it will not only allow the developer to bypass town zoning regulations, but put stress on town services and traffic, all in the name of affordable housing.

Sheldon Stein, who bought the inn seven years ago, submitted applications to the Conservation Commission last week and to the Planning & Zoning Department on Thursday, with maps and engineering reports. The designs choreograph razing of the 127-room hotel at 1595 Post Road East, replacing it with a 200-unit, multi-family residential community dubbed Westport Terrace Views.

The construction would take place through use of state statute 8-30g. Passed in 1989, it allows developers to overstep a municipality’s local zoning laws if that municipality does not have 10 percent of its housing stock classified as affordable, which Westport does not. It is intended to be an incentive to create more affordable housing in the state.

Le Rouge handmade chocolates by Aarti will open at 190 Main St. near Joe’s Pizza,in early November according to Weston-based owner Aarti Khosla ,who also operates an online chocolates business (www.LeRougeByAarti.com.)  “The shop specializes in artisan handmade chocolates and cakes without the use of preservatives,” said Khosla. The space was previously occupied by Sport Optix which relocated to 420 Post Road West. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

After six years at 54 Railroad Place, Cocoa Michelle coffee, bakery and chocolate cafe will change ownership in early November, according to current owner, Michelle Weber. She said, the new owners will be Stamford-based Bonjo Coffee Roasters, coffee distributors for 31 years. “I’m very grateful for the love and support of our loyal customers and the community over the past eight years,”  she said. “It will retain the same staff and great offerings.”  Cocoa Michelle occupied space on Westport’s Main Street for four years and on Railroad Place for six years, including two overlapping years when it had a presence in both locations. CM Gourmet Market, 580 Riverside Ave., owned by Weber, also closed in June (see WestportNow June 17, 2104) (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Lights were on at the shuttered Crumbs cupcakery on Westport’s Taylor Place today as a worker said the bake shop could reopen as early as next week. Crumbs, which had been at the location since April 2009, closed in July as the firm declared bankruptcy. (See WestportNow July 8 ,2014) The Crumbs midtown Manhattan store reopened Tuesday with new treats: double Greek yogurt cakes, banana bread, and nutella crozels, a croissant-pretzel hybrid. Crumbs officials said 16 New York area stores, including Westport, will reopen over the next month. Stores will also reopen in Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Newark, Delaware, and Washington, D.C. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo