Protect the Partrick Wetlands
and our Community
precluding approval of the proposed development off of this country road.
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June 9, 2003
P&Z Staff adopts new road designation for Partrick Road, precluding approval of the proposed development off of this country road.
The Planning and Zoning staff in a memo dated June 6th has changed their official designation of Partrick Road as stated in the 1960 Town Plan from Major Thoroughfare to Secondary Road. P&Z staff still considers Newtown Tpke a Major Thoroughfare in the 1960 plan.
This change has major ramifications.
While the PWPF still believes the 1997 Town Plan is the document of record with standing, the Town Attorney has offered an opinion to P&Z that the 1960 Town Plan should be used. This opinion must now take this new determination into account. Note: The 1997 Town plan designates both Newtown Tpke and Partrick Road as collector roads.
Section 17 of the OSRD Regulations says:
"17-15 Street Access
Principal access to an OSRD lot shall be provided from an Arterial Street or Major Thoroughfare
as designated on the Town Plan of Development."
ARS in deciding to propose three separate and non-road interconnected neighborhoods or clusters, rather than one with multiple access roads, must meet this section of the regulations at all three locales. The six house Southeastern cluster and the two house Southern cluster each have a single road of access. This "principal access" is from Partrick Road which is not an Arterial Street nor a Major Thoroughfare in either the 1997 or 1960 Town Plans. This then precludes these two clusters from approval by the P&Z Commission as neither conform to this specific section of the regulations.
The PWPF welcomes this important determination and thanks the P&Z staff for their continued diligence and objective research. We look forward to the P&Z Commission carrying out their mission to uphold their regulations and in doing so protecting the Partrick Wetlands, the local community and the Town. The PWPF will continue its efforts with its multi-layered opposition to the ARS proposal in the upcoming P&Z hearings on June 12th and 19th.
Information on this and other related issues can be found at www.savewestport.com
Partrick Wetlands Preservation Fund Inc
38 Partrick Road
Westport, CT 06880
www.savewestport.com