Westport Neighbors Unite

A group of Westporters is serious about blocking an 81-unit housing development, proposed for Post Road West between Cross Street and Riverside Avenue.

They’ve organized. They’ve held meetings, and spoken at public sessions. They’ve ordered yard signs.

Now they’ve got a website.

Westport Neighbors United’s message is direct. On the home page, they warn: “81-Unit Industrial Scale Apartment Complex with 146 Car Parking Deck Planned for this Turn-of-the-Century Neighborhood.”

They cite potential problems: traffic congestion, problematic police and fire access, “unavoidable” water runoff and environment issues, destruction of a historic “gateway” to town, and pedestrian safety for nearby schools, churches and childcare centers.

There’s a link to project details, a request for donations, and information on upcoming meetings (up next: Historic District Commission, May 8, 7 p.m., Town Hall Room 201).

But most effective may be a rendering. Juxtaposing photos of 2 old homes on Riverside with an artist’s interpretation of the housing behind, it dominates the website:

(Click here for the Westport Neighbors United website. Click here for their Facebook page.)