Tag Archives: Compo Beach neighborhood

[OPINION] Compo Neighbors: Common Sense Needed For ADU Setback

Posted on October 24, 2025 | 7 comments

Accessory dwelling units (ADUs) have been embraced by many Westporters. 

But in neighborhoods with dense housing — like Compo Beach — there can be unintended consequences.

David Johnson and Holly Jaffe live near the beach. They sent this letter — signed by 17 neighbors — to “06880.”

On Monday (October 27), the Planning & Zoning Commission needs to review a zoning permit issued last Friday by the Zoning Board of Appeals. It allows for an ADU on a postage stamp lot in the Compo Beach area.

[NOTE FROM “06880”: This item is not on Monday’s P&Z agenda. The November 3 meeting has been canceled. The Building Department may soon issue a building permit, for work to begin.]

It claims to adhere to the new regulation that an ADU be set back 10 feet from the primary dwelling.

According to Westport regulations, there should be no obstruction in the setback. Stairs and other means of egress are allowed.

However, they may only be 20% of the setback. The stairs and compressor platforms intrude over 5 feet into the 10-foot setback.

That is over 50% of the setback.

The Norwalk Avenue home (top, 2nd from left), showing where the ADU would be situated. (Drone photo/John Videler)

Were this to be allowed it would set a disturbing precedent for the entire town, not only the densely populated Compo Beach area.

Setbacks in our town are there for reasons: To ensure public safety.

To preserve health and welfare

To maintain neighborhood character, by creating open space between buildings and property lines

These regulations help provide adequate light and air, prevent overcrowding, facilitate public services, and protect against fire and other dangers.

This particular 26-foot high ADU “tower” affects at least 7 houses on Norwalk Avenue. And 7 houses on Westport Avenue.

Stairs and air conditioning compressors in the setback. The ADU would be built in the grassy area. (Photo/David Johnson)

Eighteen neighbors have signed petitions against this zoning permit. More are coming.

We wholeheartedly believe in the intent of the new ADU legislation, to provide alternative housing options for a myriad of folks in town here.

Please don’t misunderstand. But it can’t be the Wild West. It’s got to be soberly and appropriately reviewed, using common sense.

We hope that in their last meeting prior to the election, the Planning & Zoning Commission will consider the unexpected impact of this regulation.

Is this what the commission intended?

Thank you.

  • KEVIN RAKIN, 25 Norwalk Avenue
  • ALISON HOFFMAN, 25 Norwalk Avenue
  • JACKIE DUVOISIN, 6 Roosevelt Road
  • EILEEN WINNICK, 36 Treadwell Avenue
  • JEFF GILL, 6 Westport Avenue
  • HOLLY JAFFE, 15 Bradley Street, Direct Abutter
  • STAN CROUCH, 12 Murvon Court
  • BOB LIPIRA, 19 Norwalk Ave, Direct Abutter
  • TINA CROUCH, 12 Murvon Court
  • DAVID JOHNSON, 15 Bradley St, Direct Abutter
  • JOHN VIDELER, 138 Compo Road South
  • EILEEN BELMONT, 41 Regents Park
  • MARY ANNE LIPIRA, 19 Norwalk Ave, Direct Abutter
  • BRIAN APPEL, 311 Wilton Road
  • DANIELLA LIPIRA, 19 Norwalk Ave, Direct Abutter
  • and 3 others

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Posted in Local politics, Real estate

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Pic Of The Day #2928

Posted on April 25, 2025 | 4 comments

Todd Suchotliff says: “I flew into Westchester, and the flight path took me right over Westport. I got a great view of Compo  — but I was on the wrong side of the plane to see my house in Old Hill.”

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Pic Of The Day #1261

Posted on September 29, 2020 | 1 comment

Compo Beach trees (Photo/Patricia McMahon)

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Pic Of The Day #244

Posted on December 17, 2017 | 2 comments

The Compo Beach neighborhood, yesterday morning (Photo/Betsy P. Kahn)

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From Starter Home To Downsizing: The Westport Housing Arc

Posted on January 29, 2016 | 22 comments

More than 30 years ago, Rick Shelman and his wife Maryanne visited Westport. They got ice cream (he can’t remember where). His wife said, “This would be a nice place to live.”

Their oldest child was 5 years old. The Shelmans learned the school system was excellent — and home prices were high.

But they found a house they could afford. It was near the Post Road, and a bit noisy. After 4 years they moved to a bigger home, off Sturges Highway. They were there for 17 years.

Rich had his own computer supply company. As the industry changed, he embarked on a 2nd career: real estate.

A few years ago, when the youngest of their 3 children left for college, Rick and Maryanne looked around. Their 5-bedroom ranch house sat on an acre of land. They’d spent so much time ferrying their kids to various activities around town, they knew their neighbors only to wave hello.

The Shelmans always wanted to live near the water. They found a fixer-upper on a side street between Soundview and Bradley. Soon, they were in their 3rd Westport home.

The Shelmans' Compo Beach home.

The Shelmans’ Compo Beach home.

The family’s trajectory — starter house, upgrade, downsize — mirrors that of many Westport fsamilies. Despite frequent complaints that there is nowhere for empty nesters to go here (except for condos), Rick says the Compo neighborhood is perfect.

“There’s always something going on here. People are walking, jogging or out with their dogs. On Halloweeen we have 1500 kids.”

The calmness of the water balances the summertime action.

Best of all, it’s a neighborhood. “We really know people here,” Rick says of one of the few places in town with cheek-to-jowl zoning. “We look out for each other.”

His neighbors are a mix of retirees and families with young children. Some houses have been renovated (and raised, to avoid hurricane damage). Some still need to be updated.

Rick and Maryanne Shelman love the neighborhood aspect of Compo Beach. They also don't mind 1500 trick-or-treaters -- many from outside the neighborhood, drawn by the denseness -- every Halloween.

Rick and Maryanne Shelman love the neighborhood aspect of Compo Beach. They also don’t mind 1500 trick-or-treaters — many from outside the neighborhood, drawn by the denseness — every Halloween. (Photo/Lynn U. Miller)

Living at the beach requires a certain mindset, Rick says. “We raised our house for a 100-year flood. A young couple across the street bought their home knowing full well Sandy had destroyed the 1st floor. They want to be here. When they can afford to, they’ll raise it.”

He thinks many Westporters in his age group — folks in their 60s and 70s — would like to downsize, and stay in town. “If they could afford to move to the beach, they would,” he says. “A lot of people have asked me for advice.”

Rick notes that the Compo neighborhood is not the only place to go. Smaller houses can be found in other areas, like Bauer Place and Oak Street — and for a lot less than the going price by the beach.

Those places will continue to be attractive for empty nesters, and young families looking to get into Westport.

Three decades ago, Rick and Maryanne Shelman were just starting out in town. They’re still here, in their 3rd home.

They have no plans to leave.

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Posted in Beach, People, Real estate

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