Westport has dithered and dickered about senior housing for years.
Tonight, a new proposal will be heard.
There’s only one catch: It’s in Weston.
A couple of hours from now, Weston’s Planning and Zoning Commission will hear an application to amend that town’s regulations. The aim is to permit a new zone: Active Adult Community District.
Landtech of Westport has prepared an application for a client to allow for residential lots specifically allocated to residents 55 years and older. The move to smaller lots would mean a historic shift for Weston, which has 2 basic zones: 2-acre residential and farming district, and a shopping district for a few small stores.
The amendment would affect a project being proposed for the Phillips property, on Waterbury Street at the intersection of Weston Road, Newtown Turnpike and Georgetown Road. Think of it as a half mile from “downtown” Weston, and around the corner from Cobbs Mill Inn.
The site plan for the proposed 55-and-over housing development in Weston.
The 15-acre property was a former farm. Remnants of the original barns and cottages remain.
The plan would retain and renovate the existing structures for accessory use, like a community barn and caretaker’s cottage. Houses would be built consistent with the traditional Weston style, but would allow multiple living units for residents.
The final number of homes will depend on site conditions. Each home will include 5 or 6 units (2 bedroom each).
It looks like a typical Weston (or Westport) house. But each house like this could accommodate 5 or 6 2-bedroom units.
The project is headed by longtime Westonites Jess DiPisquale and Joe Lipton. Each has elderly parents living with them now, and many friends in similar situations.
Like Westport, Weston has many empty-nest residents living in large homes. They want to stay in their town, but would love to get rid of the upkeep and taxes.
If approved, older Westport residents would have an exciting new housing option.
They’d just have to change their zip code from 06880 to 06883.