“Where We Stand”: P&Z Candidates On Westport’s “Character”

An informed electorate is the greatest bulwark of democracy.

Westporters understand this is a very important election. “06880” is doing our part, to help Westporters understand candidates’ perspectives on a variety of issues.

Once a week, between now and Election Day, we’ll ask the men and women running for 3 important boards — Selectmen/women, Planning & Zoning, and Education — one specific question.

We’ll print their responses verbatim.

This week’s question for the Planning & Zoning Commission is:

There has been a great deal of discussion about Westport’s “character.” How do you define “Westport’s character”? Should the P&Z play a role in maintaining it – and if so, how?

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Michele Paquette is a bipartisan candidate, with endorsements from 3 organizations. She will be listed on the ballot under both the Republican Party and The Coalition for Westport. Additionally, she has earned the support of the Westport Alliance for Saugatuck. She says:

The question of Westport’s “character” is both timely and nuanced. While the term may no longer appear in official planning and zoning language due to recent state legislation, the essence of what residents mean by “character” remains deeply relevant. In fact, I believe it’s central to how we shape Westport’s future.

A few years ago, Connecticut passed legislation that removed “character” from municipal zoning regulations, citing its subjectivity and lack of measurable criteria. The intent was to ensure zoning decisions are based on objective, physical site characteristics rather than vague or potentially exclusionary notions.

I understand and respect the state’s rationale — regulations must be clear, equitable, and enforceable. However, in practice, residents continue to express a strong desire to preserve what they consider Westport’s character. I interpret this not as a call for exclusion, but as a plea to protect the town’s identity.

Michele Paquette

In my conversations with neighbors and residents, “character” is often synonymous with “identity.” It’s about preserving the small-town feel, the charm of New England architecture, and the thoughtful scale of development.

Residents value low-density neighborhoods, 2- to 3-story buildings, accessible parking, and walkable commercial areas. They appreciate the town’s natural beauty, its cultural vibrancy, and its sense of community. While most agree that growth is necessary and even beneficial, they want it to be paced and principled — aligned with the town’s values and vision.

Westport’s identity is rooted in its history as a New England water town, once farmland and industrial riverfront, now a thriving residential and cultural hub. Its proximity to Manhattan adds a unique dimension — many residents are drawn here for the balance it offers between professional opportunity and quality of life.

Our town is ecologically diverse, with treasured access to the Saugatuck River, Long Island Sound, and our beaches. We have a strong school system, a vibrant arts scene, and a business district that needs to remain healthy and accessible. These elements — natural, cultural, architectural and communal — form the foundation of Westport’s character.

Planning and Zoning plays a vital role in maintaining this identity. The cornerstone of this effort is the Plan of Conservation and Development, a 10-year road map created with robust public input. It articulates the town’s vision for growth, preservation and infrastructure. It identifies areas for green space, outlines priorities for affordable housing, and sets the tone for architectural consistency and neighborhood integrity.

Importantly, the POCD is not just aspirational — it guides zoning regulations, which are the tools we use to implement that vision.

Each year, the Planning & Zoning chair collaborates with the 1st selectperson and the finance director to align capital projects with community priorities. Zoning regulations then define what can be built, where, and how — addressing density, design, and environmental impact.

This is why I opposed the recent zoning change and development plan for the Saugatuck area. It contradicted the POCD’s vision for a small-town center and introduced high-density development with limited public access to the river, increased traffic congestion, and insufficient parking. I support development — but it must reflect Westport’s scale, style, and spirit.

Ultimately, the role of Planning and Zoning is to steward Westport’s future in a way that honors its past and reflects its residents’ aspirations. That means listening, engaging, and making courageous, transparent decisions. I am committed to standing with residents to ensure Westport remains the town they chose—and continue to choose — not just for its location, but for its character.

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The Democratic Party has endorsed Michael Cammeyer, Bre Injeski and Craig Schiavone. Schiavone is also running on the Coalition for Westport ticket, and has been endorsed by the Alliance for Westport. They say:

In 2021, the state of Connecticut changed the zoning statute so that “character” can no longer be used as a basis for zoning decisions. Without exaggeration, commissioners are advised not to use the word character when we discuss applications, or we risk putting the town at a disadvantage in court.

Moreover, CT statute 8-30g empowers developers to bypass local regulations entirely for large-scale affordable housing projects regardless of how the town’s character is impacted. However, we believe that a community’s character matters.

Bre Injeski, Michael Cammeyer, Craig Schiavone.

In the last 2 years, Fairfield has been pummeled by applications for over 1,000 8-30g units, while there hasn’t been a single formal 8-30g application in Westport during the same time period.

This isn’t an accident; it’s a reflection of our team’s leadership, and our smart use of text amendments to ensure that Westporters retain control over Westport zoning.

Our team’s approach is grounded in a pragmatic understanding of Connecticut land use law, and we always consider the unintended consequences of every application. We focus our deliberations on other defining traits of Westport – the qualities that make our town so special.

Words like “coastal,” “quaint” and “charming” capture the surface, but Westport’s true character runs deeper. It’s found in the excellence of our schools — academic, athletic and artistic. It’s reflected in our amenities, from beaches and parks to cultural institutions. This is the fabric of Westport, and the reason so many families come here and never want to leave.

The role of P&Z is not to freeze time – as a matter of law, Connecticut won’t allow for that. Instead, the P&Z’s role is to guide how the town evolves while preserving what makes us unique.

Planning means asking: How can we enhance what we already have given the realities of land use law in Connecticut? This is why the commission must always consider neighborhoods, surroundings, and the appropriate fit for every project. Whether it’s a plan for downtown, a school, a playing field, a building, a berm or a retaining pond, each decision impacts the broader landscape and, ultimately, the community.

While we aren’t permitted to cite character in a public hearing, we welcome the opportunity to share our views here. Every decision made by our team has shaped Westport’s landscape and, ultimately, our community character. Limiting overdevelopment is essential to preserving Westport’s small-town character.

That’s why our team, in split votes, adopted text amendments that allow legacy office buildings to be repurposed into medical offices, such as the new Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, rather than leaving them vulnerable to massive 8-30g conversions.

Public participation in land use is at the heart of Westport’s identity. To strengthen transparency, our team adopted a text amendment modernizing the legal notice process so that neighbors are notified when changes are proposed near their homes.

Preserving our classic New England downtown, including Main Street and our green spaces, has also been a priority. In split votes, our team stood firm against plans to eliminate downtown parking and pave over open spaces because we know that protecting these areas protects the character of our town.

Government for and by the people defines Westport. That’s why our subcommittees meet publicly, via Zoom and always on record, to ensure residents can participate in real time. Through these open discussions, we adopted text amendments – again in split votes along party lines – expanding outdoor dining, allowing second-floor retail downtown, and balancing the need for illuminated girls’ sports fields with protections for nearby neighborhoods.

Finally, our approach to housing reflects smart growth and inclusion. By approving text amendments allowing smaller, mixed-income projects — like the Clubhouse restaurant with townhomes behind it — we’ve encouraged responsible development where high-density 8-30g projects once loomed.

Through transparency, thoughtful planning and decisive leadership, our team has used text amendments to balance growth with preservation, ensuring Westport’s future remains as authentic and vibrant as its past. In close votes, our leadership made the difference and those votes continue to make Westport stronger.

In short, the P&Z absolutely plays a role in maintaining Westport’s character, not by ignoring state law or pretending it doesn’t exist and hoping for the best, but by taking a pragmatic approach and guiding change in a way that reflects who we are and strengthens the community for generations to come.

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Click here for last week’s “Where We Stand” question for the P&Z candidates.

Click here for the first “Where We Stand” question.