Longtime Westporter Scott Smith is a trenchant observer of local life. He writes:
I’m all for the pursuit of life, liberty and happiness, among other personal freedoms afforded to us Americans.
That said, when it comes to the privilege of owning private property, I also think there should be some measure of public accountability and social responsibility that go along with those enshrined rights.
I say this to ask: What reason would someone who owns a strip of roadside land along Long Island Sound have to install dense landscaping that blocks the rest of us from enjoying these beautiful coastal views? Aesthetics? Erosion control? Security?
I speak of a stretch along Beachside Avenue that has been planted chock-a-block with arbor vitae and other shrubbery.
New plantings on Beachside Avenue. (Photo/Scott Smith)
But I don’t mean to single out a few property owners on this public road, as I see examples of such “privacy screens’ along other scenic Soundside drives, all of which make Westport a wonderful place to live and visit.
Hillspoint Road, between Compo and Old Mill Beaches.
I would add that this stretch of Westport’s fabled Gold Coast is adjacent to the former home of the Bedford family, which bestowed upon our community several school buildings, a firehouse, the original Y, and Camp Mahackeno, among other lasting civic gifts. (I’ve heard they also opened the private gardens of their Gilded Age estate to townspeople on occasion.)
Why rob us of such a precious public view, and why now and for many years to come? It may not be against the law, but it strikes me as against the common good.
Just asking, and saying.
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“It may not be against the law. But it’s against the common good.”
“What do the simple folks do?”
“Down in the boondocks. Down in the boondocks. People put me down but that’s the side of town we were born in.”
“Show me the true hearted Son of Mahackeno. Who doesn’t love the spot…where the Saugatuck flows.”
Whack em‼️
Safety.
Must be able to see the water danger in a storm 😱
Private property rights are golden, as are public shoreline rights. Never the ‘twain shall meet. #CompoMillCove
The homeowners have a reason. Why not ask them ?? For my 2 cents the common good is an old American value.
The ‘Common Good’ ?
Curiously, President Biden’s farewell speech warned us and gave you the answer to your question last night.
I’m glad you said it. My comment above is exactly what your point is. USA values will be sold to the highest bidder Elon Musk wins.
“…a dangerous concentration of power in the hands of a very few ultra-wealthy people and the dangerous consequences if their abuse of power is left unchecked.
“Today, an oligarchy is taking shape in America of extreme wealth, power and influence that literally threatens our entire democracy, our basic rights and freedoms and a fair shot for everyone to get ahead.”
— President Joe Biden
There is another problem. Trumps choice for attorney general Pam Bondi will not say Biden win the election. Facts. Truth Science. Fact checking are no longer part of USA values.
#1, I couldn’t agree more about the trees along Beachside. Baffling. #2, if you think the wealthy are a problem in the Republican party, but not the Democrats, I don’t think you’re really looking. Money in politics is and has been a problem ever since Citizen’s United and won’t be fixed until that is.
the Supreme Court is Trump owned.
“…Isee examples of such “privacy screens’ along other scenic Soundside drives…”
Hmmm. Seems like Scott already has the answer.
Thank you, Dan, for posting this—and for your tireless efforts to build community not only here but far beyond. I agree with Jan’s comment above, and would add (as at Mill Pond Cove) there’s a public easement at this stretch of Beachside Ave. that leads down to Burying Hill Beach and the lovely Frost Point. It’s now accessible only at low tide and a bit sketchy even then, but as with any public right, use it or lose it!
Scott, I couldn’t agree more! I’ve been thinking the same thing for months now and couldn’t have articulated the issue better. Your comparison of today’s nouveau riche to the Bedfords’ civic-mindedness is an apt one. Once these trees mature, regular folks won’t be able to see the Sound at all as they drive along Pequot/Beachside Avenue—except for the view from Southport Beach, which you can only park in front of during the off season if you don’t have a Fairfield sticker. In Westport I remember when you could see the water as you drive between what used to be Cafe de la Plage to Compo Beach. Sigh.
There several properties along Hillside Ave that confront this issue. One property owner has made a point of making sure that the bushes placed next to the sidewalk, the L.I. Sound side, will not be allowed to grow to block the view. At least three other property owners have placed tall hedges that do block the views The additional property on which a new, very large modern home is being constructed, now has an open view. I have asked that the view remain open, as did Danielle Dobin when on the P&Z Commission. I have no idea if the view will be retained. I suggest that people send e mails to the owner and builder urging retention. The e mails go to the P&Z Department. The site is 253 Hillspoint Rd.
Finally, I had tried to get a regulation adopted that would have limited the heights of fences and walls along sidewalks to four feet. The idea was controversial, but, frankly, very sound and common in other Towns. I grew up in a Town that mandated that fences and walls had to be well back into a site, i.e. in essence the back yards.
There are no God given rights as to property. Those rights reflect societal judgments and laws. Yes, sometimes we have abusive regulations. Views as one walks along a sidewalk do not constitute such an abuse.
Some folks really do need to get outside of Westport & CT more. People own land and have the right to use it within the law, and hopefully social norms (not playing loud music at 3am, etc.). But having a nicely landscaped border that may “block” one’s view seems very reasonable for an owner if they choose to do no, and not necessarily against the “common good” (aka the way I want them to behave). People put up trees for many reasons-privacy, aesthetics, environmental, etc.. Cutting down trees/shrubs is often depicted in 06880 as villainous, but I guess planting them is bad if someone else doesn’t like it?? Worry about yourself and stop lamenting the other guy!
I am disgusted. It’s greed, plain and simple. I have had a home here for 75 years. My parents and grand parents have lived in Westport since the turn of the last century. Since before there were cars. One of the most beautiful drives (once my mom got here first car) was up Greens Farms Road, as one came upon the privately owned Gold Coast properties, and then emerged upon the part of the road where the expanse of L.I. Sound was visible. To this day,(last year) it WAS where I would drive to show visiters what a beautiful town Westport is. I remember learning about Bedford and others in school who gave their wealth a purpose for the good of the town. In my day, I believe Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward, among others, rose to the task and did the the same. They used their privilege to give back to the town. This business on Greens Farms Road is deplorable. If you own property which has been enjoyed by people for over 100 years and it does not infringe on your privacy to let it remain, why do this?