By James Lomuscio
Westport’s mobile home park on Post Road East, a part of the town’s landscape since the 1940s, will soon be relegated to the dustbin of history. The Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) tonight unanimously approved a site plan to demolish the remaining 33 mobile homes, transforming Sasco Creek Village into a park of three-story buildings totaling 54 rental units.
The 33 mobile homes at 1655 Post Road East will be demolished and replaced by three-story buildings. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
The project, estimated at around $15 million, would add 21 new units, 13 one-bedroom and eight two-bedroom ones, to the town’s affordable housing stock, according to the Westport Housing Authority (WHA).
Planning and Zoning Director Laurence Bradley said the demolition and construction would be done in phases, “so they don’t have to relocate everyone at once.”
“The Westport Housing Authority really knows how to run and operate things,” said Jeffrey Wieser, president and CEO of Homes with Hope, speaking in support of the project. “This is going to be a great opportunity for the town.”
He also called it “a bargain for the town,” since no municipal funds would be required for the federally funded project. At the same time, Wieser said, it would bolster Wesport’s affordable housing points.
The plan was submitted and detailed at the public hearing by Rick Redniss, president of Redniss & Mead, a Stamford-based design and consulting firm specializing in land use. Redniss stressed that there was a need for increased affordable housing as evidenced by a WHA backlog.
“We have 120 people on the waiting list, and it has been closed, so we know there is a need,” he said.
Wondering about the impact on the town’s school system, Carla Rea, who serves on the town’s Representative Town Meeting, asked how many children would be added to school rosters due to the expansion. Redniss said his best “common sense answer” would be about 16 new students.
P&Z Chairwoman Catherine Walsh and member Chip Stephens raised concerns about pedestrian safety in the area, as many Sasco Creek residents walk to supermarkets, Goodwill and other shops along the Post Road. Both said that the Post Road crosswalk was dangerous.
Their comments were echoed by Sasco Creek residents who cited two pedestrian fatalities while crossing Post Road East in the area over the past few years.
“We are looking at what we can do to make the crosswalk more effective,” said Redniss.
He said that while putting a traffic light on the state road at the entrance to the park might not be feasible, other types of flashing lights at the crosswalk are likely.
“We’re happy to accept the responsibility to do this if the permission is granted by the DOT (state Department of Transportation),” he said.
Two LED pedestrian crosswalk signs were activated in front of 1655 Post Road East in March 2011 where a 49-year-old man was killed in December 2008 as he crossed the busy street. (See WestportNow March 15, 2011)
Karen Scott, a 15-year resident, spoke in favor of the change.
“When you think about Westport, you don’t think about a trailer park, so this will be a nice addition for us,” she said.
P&Z member Ronald Corwin announced his support for the project even before the question was called.
“I think it enriches the community, it enriches the school system, and I think this is a terrific project,” he said.
More than $700k average for building costs only (since I assume the property is town owned ) for each of the 21 units (13 one bedroom and 8 two bedroom) !!!!!!!!!!!
I am sure every builder in Fairfield County will be lining up to win this contract