Affordable housing is crucial.
It’s a way for town employees — police officers, firefighters, teachers — to live in the town where they work.
It’s how longtime older residents can remain here, and striving young people can come.
But it’s not cheap to buy the land for affordable housing, then build it.
In other words: How can Westport afford affordable housing?
Earlier this month, we took a big step forward.
The Planning & Zoning Commission established an “Inclusionary Zoning Fee,” and recommended a fee: 0.5% of construction costs of all projects for which zoning permit applications are filed. That’s $5 for every $1,000.
The fee will be paid by anyone filing for a zoning permit — for instance, builders of new construction, and homeowners making major renovations.
The Representative Town meeting then unanimously passed the motion to create the fund, and voted 30-1 to ratify the fee. The ordinance becomes effective February 23.
What does it all mean?
Here’s one example. The 1 Glendinning Place project — a plan to build 10 homes near the office complex off Weston Road, 2 of them reserved for people with special needs — has an estimated construction cost of $10 million.
That would generate $50,000 for the new Affordable Housing Trust Fund. More would be added from other related zoning permit transactions.
The Glendinning Place proposal could add over $50,000 to Westport’s new Affordable Housing Trust Fund.
The Fund would be used to purchase land, and for the subsequent construction, of affordable housing.
Though the ordinance is not yet effective, the Affordable Housing Trust Fund is already at $10,000. It was jump-started by an anonymous donation, from a resident who believes in its mission.
Besides the 0.5% zoning permit fee and donations, the fund will include investment income, as well as possible state and federal grants.
Planning began almost 2 years, with discussions by then-P&Z chair Danielle Dobin about Westport’s Affordable Housing Plan.
RTM members Matthew Mandell and Seth Braunstein helped shepherd it through many legislative steps. It had strong support from town officials (including 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker), town attorneys, and RTM members.
The fund will be administered by an oversight committee. They’ll advise the Boards of Selectwomen and Finance, and the RTM, on how and where to spend the funds. Those bodies must then approve the recommendations.
Tooker will appoint the 5 members of the committee.
“This is a high priority for me,” Tooker tells “06880.”
She has already explored opportunities on town-owned land. The Linxweiler property on the Post Road (between Fresh Market and McDonald’s) could be used for cluster housing, for example.
The Linxweiler property, on Post Road East.
The 5 existing structures on Baron’s South could also be renovated and repurposed, through the Affordable Housing Trust Fund.
The committee will add “a whole other perspective, and another strategic viewpoint and layer of focus” to the work Tooker has already done, she says.
“It’s incredibly important to have diverse housing in Westport,” the 1st Selectwoman adds.
“It’s an issue we take very seriously. The committee and fund will be a big help as we proceed strategically.”
Westport is not the first Fairfield County community to embrace the idea of an affordable housing fund. Fairfield, New Canaan, Darien, Stamford and Greenwich have similar ordinances.
Fairfield — which has the same 0.5% construction cost fee as Westport — has raised $2.25 million since 2018. They’ve allocated nearly $1.5 million so far, mainly to acquire property.
New Canaan collects 1% of construction costs for new construction and additions. They have raised $1.1 million since 2020.
Mandell hopes Westport’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund will receive $750,000 to $1 million a year. The first results could be seen in 2026.
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Great idea. You’re just 40 years to late.
Oops… that’d be too late.. actually maybe 50 years too late.
The esteemed James Izzo is the only RTM member to vote against this. I speak for many voters in District 3 who would love to see him in a competitive race next time.
Tom, Thank you. I voted for the fund. I don’t like the approach of Westport residents and property owners funding the fund. I am 100% in favor of affordable housing.
I serve on the Board of Wassel Lane and work with Homes with Hope.
Happy to discuss via phone or coffee.
Have a great weekend,
Jimmy
I voted against this at the RTM Level. The fund itself is good idea. The problem is the avenue of “funding” approved by the RTM and Planning and Zoning Commission.
The fund should NOT be funded by Westport residents, or those doing construction in our community. In Westport, “all in” we have the highest fees in Fairfield County for construction projects. Yes, even the home owner.
Why should Westport residents have to pay a fee for a State Law (8-30g) that is flawed? A “feel good” tax like this is NOT going to make difference, even in housing units needed to keep up with a state formula that is unattainable.
I have the utmost respect for my RTM colleagues Matthew Mandell and Seth Braunstein, authors of the fund and “tax” that is being charged to our residents.
I love the fund. The one who should be funding this is the STATE OF CT. The authors of 8-30g – a partisan Democratic Law passed at the state level over 30 plus years ago.
Why not go after the state for real estate conveyance taxes to fund this?
Why not push the state for credit not given Westport for being ahead of the game of affordable housing for pre 8-30g affordable housing created at Hales Court and Trailer Park?
Why not go after the state to “contribute” state land in Westport to help us create affordable housing?
We don’t have the land Greenwich, Fairfield, and New Canaan have to create our own housing. One size does NOT fit all for every municipality in Connecticut.
It might be time for prominent Westport Democrats like Mr. Mandell to round up all our local State Representatives (90% Democrats)from Fairfield County, and demand action at the state level to get us conveyance dollars for affordable housing funds in our local towns who don’t have the land.
We need the State of Connecticut to participate in helping us create affordable housing, not penalizing us for a “one size fits all” 8-30g law that mathematically and lack of land availability, doesn’t work.
Again, thank you Seth and Matthew for your good intentions, hard work in creating the affordable housing fund. Let’s find the right way to fund it. One only has to look North to Hartford for the funding body.
Against the grain as it may be for me to agree with Jim Izzo, I think he’s got this one…as with so many of the “feel good” gestures of which we left wing “do gooder” are guilty, this is too little too late, burdensome on the wrong folks and stupid at its core.
The vote was 30 to 1. I wonder who the “one” was? What was the rationale was?
Re: The Glendinning Place project. I’m certainly not an engineer but 10 separate septic systems on a tiny piece of property in an area comprised of waterways and a nature preserve sounds like a bad idea.
Oops.. I guess we now know the one holdout! Like I said, you’re probably 50 years too late! Also, most likely not a good idea to be the 1 in a 30 to 1 vote.
Jack, again voted at RTM to create the fund. Exactly, imagine if we had your family property? Rippe Farm? All the vacant land on Post Rd. from the 70’s and 80’s owned by Paul Kowalsky?
You are absolutely right, 50 years ago land to purchase. My issue is with the funding of the fund. I stand 100% behind my vote, the State of CT should be paying into the fund 100% plus donations.
Hope you are well.
Jimmy, We’re doing well. Thanks for asking! Landsdowne was another enormous property you could have included. The property across from Westfair too. How things would be different today!
On the contrary Jack, you are correct it’s hard to be the 1-30, but think about the Hamlet vote last year.
Sal liccione was the 1 v 33.
And sals vote represented the vast vast majority of the town. I’d equate sals vote as representing in that instance 26,000 residents.
So he was absolutely right to be the 1 and stick to his guns.
Same goes for the right to petition vote. I believe it was 29-5…. The 5 represented 28,000 residents.
All about who are you representing. Not really are you outnumbered.
I agree whole heartedly with Jimmy.
Doesn’t happen often but in this instance I overwhelmingly think the fund is a fantastic idea. But without question it should be funded by the state with our collective tax ( already) paid dollars.
If the state will pay to assist greedy contractors with remediation of a site( hamlet) they bought in full knowledge of its need for remediation just adding to their massive profits,( on our nickel), then I should think it only right and proper they use the tax dollars we pay at state level to fund this type or these types of projects.
As a commissioner on the Planning & Zoning Commission I along with Patrizia Zacaro voted against the imposition of these fees. They are being levied on unsuspecting ordinary citizens with little notice. I appeared at the RTM meeting to present my opinion but was cut short by the moderator Jeff Weiser. Jimmy Izzo offered to give me his time so I could continue to speak but I was denied the right to continue by the moderator. This was unfortunate because I wanted to give real life examples of how the fee would impact ordinary residents. Mr. Mandell and Mr. Braunstein were allowed to parade speakers to the podium in a seemingly unending presentation. There have been numerous fees and charges imposed on property owners in recent years amounting to millions of dollars on both the State and local level. They are overwhelming and will eventually destroy our economy. I like to deal with common sense. I know my arguments are valid and I am thankful we have representatives like Jimmy. Unfortunately, the RTM is controlled by a few political operatives who impact the majority. Subsequent to the vote Matt’s frosting on the cake was an email to his supporters wherein he stated that I was dogmatic and politically naive.
I was going to start my response to you Mr. Calise with “that is unbelievable” but sadly it is not.
Instead this the new norm, treating anyone whose opinion differs from theirs, with not just indifference but actually with contempt.
It is exactly how the merchants( who are the primary stakeholders) in the parking downtown fiasco feel.
Hello.I’am writing this FOR EVERONE TO READ.I’AM 55YEAR’S OLD AND DISABLED AND LIVING IN THE WOODS. I WAS WRONGLY EVICTED YES I WAS. WRONGLY EVICTED. THE JUDGE IS NOW BEING INVESTGATED. AND NOT ALL HOMELESS PEOPLE ARE DRUG ADDIECE’S OR DRUNK’S .I’AM NOT. OUR GOVERNMENT NEED’S TO LOOK HEAVLY INTO THE. LANDLORD ‘S AND THE JUDGE’S.YOU’S KNOW KARMA IS A BITCH.
Lisa, Maybe someone could start a GoFundMe for you. If they can start one for police dogs, maybe someone can start one for you. Whatya say Ms Tooker. Step up to the plate?
Dan, Is this poor lady literally living out in the woods in affluent Westport?
Jeff Weiser continues an autocratic and dictatorial role as RTM moderator. What’s he afraid of?