Protect the Partrick Wetlands
and our Community
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Presenter: Matthew Mandell |
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My last issue is dealing with the impact the sewer extension proposed will have on the town and our community.
Here is the map of the area.
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Here is where the sewer is proposed, up Newtown into the property through the wetlands, under the Brook, which I still say they did illegally, and down Partrick Road.
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The sewer will be an extension from Norwalk's system
Worth a million dollars
Norwalk is not planning on building it
ARS is giving them a gift.
Pete Romano of Norwalk DPW and Mike Overton of DPW met and spoke with them.
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WPCA - Did not "approve" of the sewer.
Due to the limited jurisdiction drawn by the Town Attorney, the WPCA only had jurisdiction over what goes into and comes out of the Westport Water Treatment Plant. Since this the effluent is going to Norwalk the had not jurisdiction and approved it.
Diane Farrell said "No ringing Endorsement"
Carl Leaman "whether I like it or not for good or bad"
This is not what you want your commissioner saying when they approve something.
Town Attorney in his decision handed the off to P&Z.
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WPCA Decision.
Costs of future connection, policing and enforcing this system, financial burdens on the town, the prospect of lawsuits, governance of the sewer, and takeover of the sewer, loss of open space, and alleged failure to adhere to findings of the Conservation Commission are not properly raised in an intervention proceeding, and may be dealt with more properly at other proceedings.
P&Z has the obligation to decide on the sewer.
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This is a map of North Eastern Norwalk that Peter Romano of DPW presented me. It shows all the properties that could hook up to the sewer. 435. Norwalk will explode. Half acre zoning and people will subdivide and more and bigger houses will be built, creating increased density and more traffic which will go into Wesport.
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This is the WHITE BARN Theatre. Lucile Lortell has passed away the property is in play. I spoke with Michael B. Greene Director of P&Z in Norwalk and it could support 24-30 houses.
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And where is it, between Partrick Road and Newtown Tpke half a mile away from the Patrick Wetlands.
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Now you are not just look at 22 house but 50. The area is exploding with development and both roads will be impacted with even more traffic.
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Big Map - Sewer extends north and east on Newtown Tpke in Weston
This sewer will not end at the Partrick Wetlands it will continue on.
This is all AA zoning and most properties are much larger. Property taxes are getting out of hand and real estate is too valuable. People will subdivide where they could not before. More houses means more traffic and increased tax burden.
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Big Map - Sewer heads North on 33 into Wilton
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Sprawl will occur
Sierra Club Fact Sheet on Sprawl
The Sierra Club has a lengthy fact sheet on sprawl.
* Sprawl increases traffic on our neighborhood streets and highways
* Sprawl pollutes our air and water
* Sprawl destroys parks, farms, and open space
* Sprawl wastes our tax money
* Sprawl crowds our children's schools
The Sierra Club can point to only one solution to sprawl -- "Smart Growth," the fact sheet says, "provides a range of solutions to the problem of sprawl. Smart Growth means planning our communities so that our streets will be safer, our neighborhoods will be nicer places to live, our air and water will be less polluted, and our parks, farms and open space will be protected."
Minnesota Planning Study:
In neighborhoods served by urban services, like sewer and water lines, densities can be quite high.
In rural districts, those not served by sewers and water lines, densities should be much lower.
The Combination of Water and Sewer is a recipe for sprawl and densification:
Sewers bring larger houses
Densification brings more traffic and congestion
Densification brings change in Character
Smart Growth is needed
P&Z must consider the impact before approval
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YMCA
The sewer will turn south on 33 and will enable the proposed Y at Mahackeno. This is not just rumor this is reality.
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The YMCA @ Mahackeno
700 cars a day into the area, 1400 trips
Access Road Route 33
Primary Road from the West
Partrick Road
Traffic Nightmare
Adverse Change to NW Westport
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1987 town plan - shows a proposed sewer for this area
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1997 town plan - shows NO sewer planned or proposed for this area. The thinking of the town has changed.
P&Z must conform to town plan.
44-6 (1) Special Permit
Be in conformance with the Town Plan of Development
OSRD zone does not say sewer, it say community sewer system. It does not have to be this one.
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Ths is what our town looks like. Let's not allow sprawl and densification to destroy it.
End of Presentation.