Tag Archives: 1 Glendinning Place

Roundup: Coat Drive, Hostages Talk, Piano Concert …

The Westport Fire Department has again partnered with Bridgeport Rescue Mission, for the 3rd annual Share the Warmth Coat Drive.

Fire Chief Nick Marsan says, “A coat may seem simple. But it’s essential for many children and adults in nearby communities.”

Donations of clean new or gently used winter coats, hats, mittens, gloves and snow suits can be donated through November 30 at:

  • Westport Fire Headquarters
  • Westport Senior Center
  • Westport Town Hall
  • Coleytown Elementary School
  • Long Lots Elementary School
  • Kings Highway Elementary School.

Lieutenant Rob Lenois, president of the Westport Uniformed Firefighters Charitable Foundation, notes, “This drive allows us to give back and ease the burdens on local families. Last year, thanks to the generosity of this community, we distributed over 1,400 coats.”

Fire Department coat drive, 2023.

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Speaking of helping out: This Monday (November 10) is Shake Shack’s “Donation Day.”

From 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., mention “Donation Day” at the register, or use the promo code “Donate” on the Shack app, web or checkout kiosk. The restaurant will donate 25% of your total meal purchase to the VFW.

Bring your appetite!

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Got brown water? Low water pressure?

Don’t panic. Aquarion is conducting routine water main flushing today and tomorrow (Thursday and Friday), between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. The affected area includes Imperial Avenue, Bridge Street, and Compo Road South.

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On the agenda for the November 19 Conservation Commission meeting (7 p.m.; Town Hall auditorium; livestreamed on www.westportct.gov and Optimum Channel 79): a public hearing on an application for 1 Glendinning Place (off Weston Road, adjacent to the former Bridgewater headquarters).

The application is to construct 15 housing units in 10 buildings, with onsite septic systems and stormwater management systems. The existing office and surface parking will remain. Click here to view the application materials. 

Plans for 1 Glendinning Place.

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Another town meeting: the Blight Prevention Board. The November 13 (5 p.m., Zoom) session will include old business, involving these properties:

  • 6 Clifford Lane
  • 38 Old Hill Road
  • 7 Bedford Drive
  • 20 Center Street
  • 36 Hiawatha Lane.

One new property will be discussed: 15 Gorham Avenue.

20 Center Street

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Chabad of Westport’s next Candid Conversations Series event is compelling.

Former hostages Maya and Itay Regev, and their father Ilan Regev, will share their story of survival, courage and resilience on November 19 (7:30 p.m.). Attendees will get a firsthand account of their captivity and journey home.

It’s open to the public, but space is limited. Click here for details and tickets.

Itay and Maya Regev.

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Saugatuck Congregational Church’s free concert series continues this Sunday (November 9, 3 p.m.), with works by Clara Schumann and Johannes Brahms, performed by the Solstice Piano Trio.

The public is invited.

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Deadheads: Listen up!

Saturday’s  “Supper & Soul” concert features the Spadtastics.

“Connecticut’s premier tribute act” comes to the Westport Library November 8 (7 p.m.). They’ll play 2 full sets, recreating a show from the 1970s.

The Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce’s Supper & Soul series usually incudes a pre-show dinner, and post-concert drinks.

Due to the length of this event, there is no dinner. But attendees can enjoy a “Dead-inspired” drink before or after the music, at Basso, Massi Co, Spotted Horse or Walrus Alley.

(Beer, wine, spiked seltzer and water will be available at the Library.) Click here for tickets ($30).

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Westport Police made 3 custodial arrests between October 29 and November 4.

A 37-year-old Bronx man was charged with identity theft (21 counts), forgery, illegal possession of a personal identification information access device, criminal attempt to commit larceny, and failure to appear, following an investigation into a September 2024 report of someone attempting to cash a fraudulent check at TD Bank. It was determined that he was involved in additional incidents of bank/check fraud, using personal information of victims. He was held on $130,000 bond.

A 64-year-old Hamden man was charged with criminal trespass and interfering with an officer, after a trespassing complaint. A Stop & Shop manager recognized the man as someone who had been formally warned not to return to the store. During the investigation, he provided officers with an incorrect name and date of birth. A computer check showed him to the subject of an active arrest warrant, and 3 other failure to appear warrants.

A 31-year-old Bridgeport man was charged with violation of probation, and held on $100,000 bond.

Westport Police also issued these citations:

  • Driving while texting: 4 citations
  • Failure to obey stop sign: 3
  • Traveling unreasonably fast: 2
  • Disorderly conduct: 2
  • Permitting a minor to possess alcohol: 1
  • Failure to halt alcohol possession by a minor: 1
  • Distracted driving: 1
  • Breach of peace: 1
  • Operating a motor vehicle under suspension: 1
  • Operating an unregistered motor vehicle: 1
  • Operating a motor vehicle without minimum insurance: 1
  • Improper use of markers: 1
  • Violation of license class: 1
  • Failure to notify DMV of address change: 1

Two adults were charged with alcohol violations involving teenagers.

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Today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo highlights Sherwood Island State Park. It always looks good — but especially so in mid-autumn.

(Photo/Susan Garment)

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And finally … happy 84th birthday, Art Garfunkel!

(The election is over. Westport goes on. And “06880” will continue to cover every part of our ttown, 24/7/365 — just as we have since 2009. If you like our work, please click here to support us. Thanks!)

Affordable Housing: Humane Opportunities, All Over Town

Town officials and residents have been laser-focused on 2 zoning issues: HB 5002, and plans for the Hamlet at Saugatuck retail/residential/and more  project, or a 500-unit 8-30g housing complex there.

Both the omnibus housing bill and large-scale development would impact Westport, everywhere from traffic and density to taxes and moratorium points.

Meanwhile — far from the spotlight — quiet but steady progress is being made on affordable and below-market housing.

And it’s happening all over town.

On Monday (June 23, 6 p.m., Zoom), the Planning & Zoning Commission will hear a pre-application for the property at 455 Post Road East.

For decades, the building between Compo Shopping Center and Westport Fire headquarters has been home to the Connecticut Humane Society.

Connecticut Human Society, on Post Road East.

They’re moving soon, to Wilton. That offers an opportunity for new housing — right on the bus line, a few steps from Trader Joe’s, CVS and more.

Westport’s Inclusionary Housing Zone — in place since 2010 — has encouraged housing (including affordable units) on mixed-used properties along the Post Road. Beneficiaries include developments behind Splash car wash, and at the former Geiger’s and Kowalsky sites opposite Greens Farms Elementary School.

But according to Rick Redniss, the regulation is not “user-friendly.” Some of the provisions discourage housing, especially of the affordable and below-market kinds.

Rick Redniss

He should know. He’s a partner in Redniss & Mead, the land use consulting firm that has worked on many successful local projects.

Redniss says the pre-app addresses the question: “Why can’t a site on the Post Road be all residential?” It seeks to add flexibility to the IHZ designation.

Housing — some of it affordable — is more necessary than “another small commercial building,” he says.

A builder with extensive Westport experience has contracted to buy the Humane Society property, Redniss says. But they need to know the P&Z backs housing at the site.

Redniss has worked on other affordable housing — some of it off-site — that many Westporters may be unaware of.

The Residence — the independent, assisted and memory care community on the Post Road near Morningside Drive — was built in an IHZ area. Instead of 3 small apartments on-site, the project includes 2 single-family homes — with yards and garages – on Crescent Park.

The Mill condominium project on Richmondville Avenue includes 5 units at 136 Riverside Avenue, next to Saugatuck Elementary School.

The Victorian home was completely renovated. Four apartments are now occupied by adults with special needs. A fifth is rented by an income-eligible resident director. A 49-year lease with the town has been pre-paid.

136 Riverside Avenue, after renovations.

Meanwhile, residential units are going up on land between New Country Toyota and Splash car wash. In collaboration with Homes with Hope, Redniss is proposing an affordable 2-family home off-site.

Also in the works: on-site affordable housing at 220 Post Road West — the 2-story retail building that housed a rug store, on the corner of Sylvan Road North.

And, in the northern corner of Westport, 14 units of special needs housing at Glendinning Place, near the former Bridgewater headquarters off Weston Road.

Taken together, that’s a lot of affordable and below-market housing, at a wide variety of sites.

Keep your eye on the Humane Society — and other spaces — as public and private officials seek humane solutions to a town, state and national housing crisis.

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