Sprawl & Smart Growth will be issue in P&Z
Next P&Z Hearing, May 12th
Open Public Comment Continues if needed on May 14
NEW TIMES 6:30pm

** EMAIL P&Z **

Planner tells P&Z Y is not Smart Growth nor meets regulations (Download WMA Player) Y Downtown Delivers Editorial Reply on Cablevision View video Listen to a recent radio debate about the Y, featuring Matthew Mandell and Helene Weir

Read our recently published position on keeping the YMCA Downtown. 10 RTMs back Baron's option There are several alternative sites in the commercial downtown area that could accommodate a new Y, with some reasonable modifications to its current plans, including the Imperial Lot, Baron’s South, Jesup Green and Winslow Park. Centrally located in a commercial zone on major roads, these sites offer more appropriate solutions for a future Y that will better serve the Westport community. First Selectman Gordon Joseloff recently commented on his Westport Now Web site that he would prefer a downtown location for the YMCA, mentioning the Jesup Green and Imperial Lot sites. The Y’s relocation to Mahackeno has become one of the most divisive issues in Westport. That is why the town, residents and the Y’s management need to talk about serving the best interests of Westport’s residents and not moving to Mahackeno.

The Westport/Weston YMCA is planning on abandoning its historic home on Main Street in downtown Westport. The Y's plan is to create at least a 100,000 square foot facility at its Camp Mahackeno site in residential and state-designated rural northwestern Westport.

This relocation is not smart growth and will create sprawl and traffic congestion in an area in which roads already are overburdened with traffic. The plan will destroy a large swath of open space, change the character of this corner of town and could harm the local environment.

Moving the Y out of downtown also will decrease patronage of local businesses, make the Y less accessible for youths and seniors and remove the sense of community the downtown location engenders. Our goal is to keep the Y DOWNTOWN!

Four Local and State Documents support the concept of Y Downtown. See why the Y should stay Downtown.

The Y has no guaranteed right to build this commercial facility in this residential zone, they must apply for and receive a Special Permit from the Town. Read the critera and see why they have a daunting task.
Click here for regulations (pdf).

Citizens and elected officials went on a tour of Mahackano, read a short report about this wonderful piece of open space

View the

Y MOVE? &
Y Septic Shocks
All editorial content by Lisa Seidenberg

And the Survey says.... No to Mahackeno Telephone Survey of Residents says 72% want Y elsewhere. Click here to read about it.

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New Canaan Y, A Lesson for Westport Read about their problems

Y Directors have said the CT DOT has approved their plan. THIS IS NOT THE CASE.

The Downtown Merchants Association said Y Stay Downtown in Sept '05
"The vitality and safety of Downtown Westport is extremely important to us and to our customers."

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