Tag Archives: Larry Weisman

[OPINION] Public/Private Partnership Could Be Hamlet’s Win/Win

Posted on July 11, 2025 | 24 comments

Larry Weisman and his family moved to Westport in 1966. He brought his law practice here in 1979.

Larry Weisman

Concentrating on zoning law, he has represented the Gorham Island developer, the Gault Saugatuck project, the Westport Library, Aspetuck Town Trust, Compo Beach playground effort, the Westport Weston Family YMCA and many other significant projects.

He has watched the battle over the Hamlet at Saugatuck project with interest. He writes:

What if ROAN Ventures — the developers of the Hamlet — were to withdraw its application, with the understanding that it can be refiled at any time?

And what if the town of Westport — not the Planning & Zoning Commission — were to appoint a committee of knowledgeable and experienced real estate developers to discuss with ROAN a public/private partnership to develop Saugatuck?

And what if the town made a substantial contribution to the project — not necessarily in dollars only, but also by contributing in-kind services, and perhaps expansion of the project into adjacent town-owned sites? And what if that included redesigning the sea of asphalt which is now the railroad parking lot, to address parking concerns?

Part of Saugatuck today that ROAN Ventures hopes to develop. It would be part of a public/private partnership that Larry Weisman proposes.

 I think the result of such an effort could produce a substantial amount of 8-30g residential units. They would be not in 8-story buildings, but perhaps in 3- or 4- story buildings around a central court, with the remainder of the property devoted to a judicious mix of commercial and office uses, with appropriate amenities on the river.

Traffic patterns and parking options could be explored more thoroughly with the participation of the town. Ancillary uses, such as a theater and hotel, could be better evaluated in terms of community need if public opinion were taken into account.

Uses designed to serve an expanded residential neighborhood, such as a pharmacy, hardware store and grocery, could be included in the mix to promote a sense of community.

In 2018, a Transit Oriented District plan envisioned redevelopment of Saugatuck. 

A secondary effect would be a reduction in traffic.

Architectural style could be addressed more effectively. An eye toward creating a more community-friendly design and walkable streetscape would add to a sense of community.

It’s my guess that such a scheme has the potential to produce a win-win result. The developer and its investors would turn a reasonable profit, and the town and its citizens would have their say.

I think the end result is likely to be better and more acceptable to the citizenry for having participated than anything we’re likely to get from the P&Z through the prescribed process.

This is a bold proposal, to be sure. I recognize that there will be those who say that it would set a dangerous precedent for negotiated zoning, which would threaten the prerogatives and run counter to the statutory responsibilities of the P&Z and the conventional system of land use regulation, which contemplates measuring development proposals against a predetermined set of regulations.

But I think the redevelopment of Saugatuck is an issue of such magnitude and consequence to the community as a whole that it can be seen as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity which is worth the risk.

All that’s lacking is leadership.

(“06880’s” Opinion pages are open to all. Please email submissions to 06880blog@gmail.com)

24 Comments

Posted in Local politics, Real estate, Saugatuck

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[OPINION] Public Site & Building Commission Must Have Role In Long Lots Debate

Posted on November 10, 2023 | 27 comments

The election is over. The Parker Harding renovation is on pause. Time to turn our attention back to Westport’s largest-ever capital project: a new Long Lots Elementary School.

Larry Weisman

Larry Weisman is longtime observer of — and participant in — town affairs. An attorney who defended SNCC workers in the South, as well as a Staples High School graduate who lost his student deferment after protesting the Vietnam War, Weisman moved his practice to Westport in 1979 and concentrated on zoning law.

He has represented the Gault Saugatuck project, Westport Library, Aspetuck Town Trust, Compo Beach playground effort, and many other major projects. Larry writes: 

Lost in the heated debate over the Long Lots school and Westport Community Gardens is the role that could and should have been played by  the Public Site & Building Commission.

The PSBC is comprised of professionals well qualified to evaluate the project in the first instance, as well as to review the recommendation favored by the 1st Selectwoman which would eliminate the Gardens to accommodate a ball field.

Here’s what the Charter has to say on the subject:

Unless otherwise expressly designated by the Representative Town Meeting with the concurrence of the First Selectman, the Public Site and Building Commission shall be designated as the school building committee as that term is defined in the General Statutes.

In the case of the Long Lots School, the 1st Selectwoman, supported by a vote of the RTM (not the RTM with the concurrence of the 1st Selectwoman, as suggested by the Charter), bypassed the PSBC and appointed her own hand- picked school building committee.

It would be fair, it seems to me, to ask why she did that; whether the RTM when it voted was aware of the Charter provision (most members were not); and if they had been, might they have asked why a new committee was necessary; and why has she refused, even after the fact, to grant the PSBC’s request that she refer her committee’s recommendation to it for further review and evaluation. What is she afraid of?

The Long Lots Elementary School project will be Westport’s largest capital expense ever.

In my view this has all of the hallmarks of a process carefully engineered by the 1st Selectwoman to avoid informed dissent and minimize public participation so as to produce a predetermined result.

Unfortunately for the citizens of Westport, these tactics do not necessarily produce either the best or the fairest result, nor one in which the public can have unqualified confidence.

I for one would be much more comfortable with the result, whatever it may be, if the project had been or now would be scrutinized by the PSBC which is, for good reason, designated by the Charter to serve as “the school building committee” unless there is a compelling reason to replace it, which does not seem to be the case in this instance.

I urge the RTM, which failed to take into account the relevant Charter provision when it voted to confirm the 1st Selectwoman’s committee choices, to redeem itself by adopting a Resolution asking, directing, imploring — whatever phrasing is appropriate — the 1st Selectwoman to refer her hand-picked Long Lots School Building Committee’s findings and recommendations to the Public Site & Building Commission for further review and public comment.

I asked Larry what the Public Site & Building Commission itself thought. Chair Joseph Strickland says:

The Public Site & Building Commission is comprised of experienced professionals in construction and development projects, and as such is uniquely qualified to serve as the school building committee as contemplated by the Charter.

I have every confidence that, given the opportunity, we will be able to make constructive suggestions that will benefit the project and the town of Westport. It goes without saying that the more qualified people who look at the project, the better it will be for everyone concerned.

27 Comments

Posted in Education, Local politics

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0*6*Art*Art*0 — Week 50 Gallery

Posted on March 6, 2021 | 4 comments

It’s March again.

Nearly a year ago, we started our weekly art gallery. It was a welcome diversion from COVID. We’re still going strong, thanks to so many creative Westporters (and ex-residents).

As long as you keep sending your work, we’ll keep featuring it. Whatever form suits your mood — we want it. You don’t have to be a pro, or even experienced. Send it all!

Art should be inspired by, relevant to, or somehow, in some way, connected to our current lives. Student submissions of all ages are especially welcome. So are artists who have not submitted before.

Email dwoog@optonline.net, to share your work with the world.

Untitled. Wendy Roseberry writes: “My husband Brian Whelan and I moved here from Virginia in June. He is an artist. is work is shown at River Gallery. Right before the shutdown last March, a friend threw a masquerade ball with a 20-piece orchestra. Little did we know we would all wear masks from then on.”

“Lily in Hand” (Larry Untermeyer)

“CT Graffiti” (Karen Weingarten)

“Class of 1972 Foursome: Brendan Duffy, Richard Roberts, Jeff Bosch & Dave Kidney” (Eric Bosch)

“Finishing Touches” (Larry Weisman)

“Everything is a Bouquet” (Roseann Spengler)

“Give the Priceless Gift” (Ellin Spadone)

“Oil and Water Do Mix … Have to be Open to It” (Barbara Stewart)

“Rock, Paper, Scissors, Mask” (Photographer Amy Schneider notes: “The mask always wins. It’s not a game.”)

“Bent but Not Broken” (June Rose Whittaker)

“Snow/Sand/Sound” (Wendy Crowthr)

 

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Posted in Arts

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0*6*Art*Art*0 — Week 24 Art Gallery

Posted on September 5, 2020 | 1 comment

Happy Labor Day weekend!

That’s the theme of a few of this week’s art gallery submissions. As we enjoy this end-of-a-strange-summer holiday, we also celebrate the wonders of Westport.

As always, all submissions are welcome — in any medium. The only rule: It should be inspired by, relevant to, or somehow, in some way, connected to our current world. Student art of all ages is especially welcome.

Coronavirus, social justice, politics, or just the beauty around us — have at it! Email dwoog@optonline.net, to share your work with the world.

“Current Issues.” Photographer Rowene Weems — who took this shot at Assumption Cemetery on Kings Highway North — says, “Initially I was fascinated by the broken edges of the tree (there are so many these days. Lightning? Wind? Crazy!). Then, by the flag in the tree. Was the flag there first or after? Then I began to see it all more symbolically. There’s a lot going on in our world right now that feels pretty shattering.”

“Compo Cove During COVID” (Roseann Spengler)

“Happy Labor Day Weekend!” (Amy Schneider)

“A Natural Horse” (Karen Weingarten)

“Cottage in the Woods” (Lawrence Weisman)

“Burying Hill” (Lisa Seidenberg)

1 Comment

Posted in Arts, Beach, People

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Larry Weisman: State Can Prohibit Trucks From Cribari Bridge

Posted on July 25, 2018 | 63 comments

Larry Weisman has followed the recent controversy over the William F. Cribari Bridge with interest.

The longtime Westporter reads “068880” comments too. One in particular drew his attention.

A preservation-minded reader referred to ‘’the statute’’ that controls the authority of the Connecticut Department of Transportation to prohibit truck traffic on a state highway.

Without quoting the statute, the commenter implied that it supports his argument for preservation as the only (or best) way to limit truck traffic on the bridge.

Weisman — an attorney — went to work. He found what he believes is the law: Section 14-298 of the Connecticut GeneraI Statutes.

Based on his reading — and in part on a successful campaign in Darien to ban trucks near I-95 — Weisman believes that the statute clearly allows the DOT to prohibit truck traffic under the same circumstances prevailing at the Cribari Bridge: “for the protection and safety of the public” whenever the route is “geographically located so that it could be utilized as a through truck route.”

Weisman found that among the physical characteristics to be assessed in determining whether the protection and safety of the public is at risk are: “road width and configuration, sight line restrictions, roadside character and development, number and character of intersecting streets and highways, traffic control devices, volume and character of traffic, and established speed limits.’’

I-95 is just out of this aerial view. According to Larry Weisman, Connecticut Department of Transportation regulations can prohibit through truck traffic on even a newly remodeled Cribari Bridge.

“Not only is there nothing here that would prevent prohibition of trucks on that portion of Route 136 which utilizes the bridge,” Weisman says, “but the bridge meets almost every criterion for such a prohibition and the statute effectively counters the argument that retaining our substandard bridge is the best (or only) way to address the issue.”

Click here for Connecticut DOT’s “Through Truck Prohibitions” page.

63 Comments

Posted in Organizations, People, Politics, Saugatuck, Transportation

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