A controversial plan to subdivide one of the last remaining parcels of private open space in Westport hit a roadblock Wednesday.
As first reported by Westport Journal, the Conservation Commission will report negatively on the proposal to put 6 houses on the 12-acre Kowalsky property on Clapboard Hill Road, between Morningside Drive South and Turkey Hill Road South.
Earlier, the Flood &Erosion Control Board expressed concerns about an underground drainage system, built earlier on the property without a permit.
The Planning & Zoning Commission will discuss the application on Monday (7 p.m., Zoom).
Site of the proposed subdivision, at 109 Morningside Drive South. (Photo courtesy of Google Earth)
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There’s a new bench downtown — courtesy of the Westport Police Department.
The handsome furniture — with a plaque identifying them as donors — now sits near the Spotted Horse restaurant.
No word on whether the cops will run you in for loitering, if you sit too long there.
From left: Police Chief Foti Koskinas and Deputy Chief Sam Arciola, with the Westport Police Department bench.
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I ate really well last night.
I was a judge at the first-ever Queer Cook-Off. The fundraiser for Westport Pride drew over 100 people to Aitoro Appliance in Norwalk. They watched 3 teams of local celebrities — headed by an area professional chef — whip up an appetizer and entrée, using items from a mystery box.
I was honored (and well-fed) to be a judge, along with Matt Storch (chef/owner of Match and Match Burger Lobster), Brian McGunagle (founder of Westport Pride), and store owner Tony Aitoro.
Bill Taibe (Don Memo, Kawa Ni and The Whelk) and Jes Bengtson (Amis, Terrain) and their teams created some outstanding food. But the Top Chef award went to Arik Bensimon (Monogram Design Center) and his crew.
Meanwhile, everyone enjoyed great food and drinks. Thanks to all who participated. I was “proud” to be a food taster there!
Westport 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker (far right) joined chef/restaurateur Bill Taibe (left) on a team for last night’s Queer Cook-Off.
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Local artists are on display tomorrow and Sunday (May 21-22, 2 to 6 p.m.) at the Westport Woman’s Club, 44 Imperial Avenue). Their annual art show is free, and open to all. All works are available for purchase.
Curated by Miggs Burroughs, the popular show features a variety of works and styles. Participating artists donate a portion of their sales to fund WWC community service grants, scholarships and programs.
Artists in the show include Ola Bossio, Trace Burroughs, Ann Chernow, Susan Fehlinger, Larry Gordon, Tom Kretsch, Arpad Krizsan, Paul Larson, Erzsebet (Bet) Laurinyecz, Jena Maric, Jon Puzzuoli, Peter Savarine, Gay Schempp, Oksana Tonasiv and Larry Untermeyer.
There’s also a drawing of the artists’ work, plus a special drawing of a piece by the late artist Howard Munce.
Musician Mark Naftalin — a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee with the Paul Butterfield Blues Band — will play piano both days.
For more information on the Westport Woman’s Club and art show, click here.
This work by Gay Schempp will be on display at the Westport Woman’s Club art show.
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Longtime Westporter John Luscombe — the husband of former State Representative Jo Fuchs Luscombe — died on Sunday, at Danbury Hospital. He was 86.
The Oahu native was an electrical engineer. He was proud to work on many government contracts. One was part of the Apollo Project, which resulted in the first moon landings.
John was a devoted sailor and boater. For many years he was part of a local group, he “Ancient Mariners.”
He served as treasurer and commander of the Saugatuck River Power Squadron, having achieved the grade of senior navigator. He was also treasurer of the Minuteman Yacht Club.
An avid tennis player, for a number of years he ran the summer program for Y’s Men, playing both indoors and outdoors.
In addition to his wife, John is survived by his niece, Debbie Harding MacInnes,; nephew John Harding; grand-nephews and grand-nieces, and Bill Abrams, brother of his late first wife, Cornelia Abrams Luscombe.
Services be will announced at a later date. Click here to leave condolences for the family.
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“Westport … Naturally” features animals, flowers, plants, trees and more.
But there are other natural wonders here too. Today’s example: a double wave at Compo Beach.
(Photo/Jonathan Prager)
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And finally … today is the birthday of energetic English musician — and famed Players Tavern regular performer — Joe Cocker.
He was born today in 1944. He died in 2014 of lung cancer. He smoked 40 cigarettes a day until 1991, when he quit.
Just a further update about the Kowalsky property (P&Z application listed as 109 Morningside South). The application has been withdrawn and will be resubmitted. This has been a very complex and difficult effort for all parties concerned. By all rights the Kowalsky family should be able to monetize their family legacy. Yet at the same time that needs to be balanced against open space and proper protection from flooding for both the new homes and abutting neighbors. This property gets pretty soggy and today during severe storms flooding spills over to abutting neighbors on Morningside South. Somehow, someway, there needs to be a solution that meets the needs of ALL stakeholders. The Greens Farms Association has been actively lobbying to mitigate potential flooding risk and the need for open space.
Art Schoeller
President
Greens Farms Association
In the old days, you did things without a permit and no one really cared! The Westport Lanes property was partially wetlands. That great Westport entertainment center would not have been approved by today’s standards. We farmed rhubarb on that property before 1953. I can understand Paul Kowalsky doing his own work. After all, he owned a construction company.
I don’t understand the requirement for the Kowalskys to give up “open space” here when they have enough land for 6 houses each on a 2 acre lot. I assume all the neighbors have their lovely homes on 1 or 2 acre lots without having given up any open space. Sure the neighbors would have nicer views if some land were left open, but if they wanted it that bad, they could have banded together to buy the land themselves. Hell, most of the people around there can afford it.