The dogs are gone from the Connecticut Humane Society.
So is the organization itself. After decades in Westport, they relocated to Wilton last year.
Planned in their place: humans.
A holding company controlled by Westport developer Joseph Feinleib — the founder of Coastal Luxury Homes — hopes to build 30 units of residential housing on the site of the former facility, and a building behind it.
Plans filed with the Planning & Zoning Commission show two 2 structures, on the 1.76-acre property.
One building would include 25 apartments. The other would be 5 townhouses. There would be a mix of 1-, 2- and 3- bedroom units.
Artists’ rendering of 455 Post Road East …
Six of the units — 2 each of 1, 2 and 3 bedrooms — would be designated as affordable, under state formulas.
The Planning & Zoning Commission looked favorably on the project, in a pre-approval meeting.
… and another view. (Courtesy of Beinfield Architecture)
Rick Redniss — principal of Redniss & Mead land use consultants, who is working on the project with Coastal and Beinfield Architecture, designers most recently of the Westport Delamar — is providing neighbors with details on landscaping, screening, lighting, traffic and noise.
The project is part of the continuing residential redevelopment of the Post Road. In recent years, new construction at the old Rogers Septic site, 1177 Post Road (opposite Greens Farms Elementary School), The Residence nearby, the foot of Long Lots Road, and Post Road West have opened up additional options, at a time when housing is tight.
On January 20 (7:30 p.m., Town Hall Room 309), the Architectural Review Board will consider parking, patios and landscaping.
Left: The existing Humane Society property, just east of Compo Shopping Center (white, left is Cohen Fashion Optical). Right: Proposed 30 residential units, landscaping and parking.
Connecticut Humane Society (now vacant).
This building behind the Humane Society will also be demolished.
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Just so you know, all the cages inside that held the animals are proposed to donated to the non-profit TAILS. Not sure they are gone yet, but that’s what was arranged.
This could have been a site for an 8-30g, but instead this is being developed under our zoning rules with 20% affordable.
The good news is that this is the first one being built, not at a major intersection, which is nice!
The bad news is that dogs are better than humans.
Indeed they are, Adam,. AND, in the bargain, they don’t crowd the roads, increase the school budget, creating need for more police, fire and emergency folks and equipment or keep one waiting in line at recreation sites.
Dan, everybody’s entitled to their opinions, and here’s mine: Your negative, knee-jerk reaction to a thoughtful, well-sited addition of 30 small units to Westport’s 11,000-strong housing stock is the worst form of NIMBY-ism—anti-social and selfish. I see these coming new residents—be they local seniors looking to downsize, new taxpayers eager to work closer to home, or simply people wanting to be a part of Westport’s vibrant, inclusive scene—as welcome new productive neighbors. You’re worried about them forcing you to “wait in line at recreation sites”? Give me a break.
Maybe “selfish”, Scott; don’t think it “knee jerk” inthat the demands on infrastructure are real. As to waiting lines, I accept your take that it’s of little moment…I was trying to ride the train of them that of complain of such…personally, I don’t give a shit…but, you do have a better take on the issue than do I, societally speaking.
Kudos for the onsite affordable housing homes included in this project Any chance for another 2? What tremendous goodwill that could be from Coastal Luxury Homes.
Mr. Redniss, representing property owners/developers, has been before Planning and Zoning frequently with efforts to build more affordable housing in Westport. Here is an opportunity to persuade a property owner/developer to step up beyond the 20% legal requirement —“goodwill” that is so often used in his campaign for an ill-advised text amendment to move affordable housing offsite of luxury developments.
William S Hart, the famous western movie star, donated $100,000 ($1.8 million equivalent today) in the 1940’s to create The Memorial Mary Ellen Hart Animal Shelter to honor his beloved sister who was a great lover of animals and lived in Westport where Hart also owned 70 Old Hill Road. The Humane Society eventually came to run it and as wonderful as the the organization is, as well as the new facility in Wilton,
I can’t help but be sad that this legacy will be lost in Westport without even a mention. I can only hope Coastal will respect this piece of land( unlike their other other developments in Westport and Southport where they thouroghly clear cut and alter the topography for yet another luxury development without appropriate reins).
I’m so glad to see more Westport housing that is not another 8,000 sf moderne barne. Westport is so tough for people who are older, just starting out, or just not very, very rich. Anything that brings in a vibrant, more diverse group of people is great.
Doesn’t look like nearly enough parking for 30 units.
Probably parking underneath the buildings and what is shown is guest parking. Of course, house bill 7061, which Westport’s elected representative voted in favor of, pretty much eliminated minimum parking requirements so it’s possible that’s it. “Walkable” to Trader Joe’s, CVS and downtown.
As a nod to the former use of the property (and a hint to future developers), it would be nice to see an area for small dogs. Often, seniors and downsizers have one. A friend in Philadelphia lives in a downtown building that sectioned off a portion of the roof and outfitted it as sort of a mini-park for dogs under 25 pounds, complete with artificial turf and a small bench for the owners.
I would respectfully like to ask the P&Z to require that Coastal do a traffic study for E Main St. The new residents of this proposed apartment building will turn their cars onto E Main St to connect with N Compo Rd whenever they head to parts north and northwest. Though E Main has a big-street title, it is a short, narrow road without sidewalks or shoulders.
E Main is already used constantly by drivers as a shortcut from the Post Rd to N Compo (thereby avoiding two traffic lights). Even now, it is a much busier road than its diminutive dimensions were originally meant to handle. What kind of additional traffic will 30 more families create on this tiny road? Additionally, there is an 8-unit apartment building being pitched for the property that abuts the one above. It will also be located on E Main.
Redniss & Mead did do a traffic study as part of their development proposal, but it primarily focused on the Post Rd portion of the frontage. They did not study the length of E. Main.
Though I’m concerned about the increased traffic these two developments may cause, I worry much more about the safety of the many neighborhood pedestrians who walk on E Main to enjoy Winslow Park (located at the base of E Main). I’m one of those walkers, and it can be a scary challenge, especially if kids or dogs are in tow. The former animal shelter (and the property next-door) generated nearly zero traffic.
Lastly, Westporters should keep in mind that these apartments are being built by Coastal – a luxury developer. Coastal developed The Mill condo project on Richmondville – nicely done but pricey. To what degree seniors or new, young residents will be able to afford the rent at this newly-proposed complex is debatable. However, Coastal’s project is definitely better for Westport than an 8-30g development. At least the neighborhood isn’t going to the 8-30g dogs.