Zoning Regulation Revision Subcommittee Meeting Ends with Plans for Future Discussion regarding Baron’s South Property

The Baron’s Mansion behind dense vegetation and trees. Photo by Jake Fitzpatrick for WestportLocal.com

Reporting by Jake Fitzpatrick for WestportLocal.com

The Baron’s South Property is a 22-acre town-owned park in downtown Westport. The land was acquired by the town for municipal use in 1994. In 2015, while a second proposal by the First Selectman to utilize the property for senior housing with an affordable component was in the offing, the P&Z Commission voted to rezone the area under the extremely strict ‘DOSRD 2’ classification, which permits only “passive open space” use and no organized recreational activity. A majority of the RTM voted to overturn the DOSRD 2 designation but not the supermajority required to overturn the P&Z Commission.

The meeting started with a general introduction to the topic by Chairman Dobin who opined that the property is clearly suffering from “benign neglect” and that the failure to invest in Baron’s South “…is a major collective action problem requiring investment of time, thought, money and care from a lot of people, elected officials, staff and community volunteers. Dobin added that “the current zoning is suffocating the open space and those buildings into disrepair”.

Next, the Director of the Parks and Recreation Department, Jennifer Fava, spoke about the Parks & Recreation Department’s  vision for the space. She spoke of the need to include a parking area to ensure public access, but keeping lots of open space. “This is where Parks and Recreation would envision this,” she said, “not to build all sorts of buildings, but to keep the outdoors and to blend together outdoor recreational activities and... trails.”

The other two subcommittee members, Paul Lebowitz and Michael Cammeyer, talked about numerous problems facing the property, such as the bike trails being unusable and the paths being unsafe for small kids. They then transitioned into asking for suggestions from the public for prospective uses for the land.

The public opinion that followed varied greatly.
Helen Garten, a member of the Selectman's Real Property Committee, spoke about how she believed that zoning wasn’t going to solve the main issue with the land: that the lack of interest from the people and money from the government was keeping the land from being restored. Some members of the public suggested that the area should be rezoned, and along with it, that pickleball courts and other recreational activities be installed for the sake of bringing together Westport’s youth and elderly populations.

Matthew Mandell, chair of RTM Planning and Zoning Committee, opined that the subcommittee should not be handling the property at the moment, and that instead, “rezoning should come after an idea.” He argued that, “the zoning can’t thwart the ideas of what we can use this property for.” He suggested that instead of using a subcommittee for rezoning, the concept should come first. He said that he thought “some bocci and some pickleball” made sense.  Some members of the public in attendance agreed with his suggestion that the plan to improve the property should come first. 

One member of the public emphasized protecting the overgrown nature that has developed there and creating a “pollinator pathway” for birds and insects instead of paving over any plant life. Jay Walshon, another member of the public, spoke about a successful community effort to improve an open space in another state and suggested creating storybook paths and story time for children outdoors. Chair Dobin pointed out that organized story time for children is actually prohibited by the current zoning.

The meeting concluded with the subcommittee members calling for the discussion to continue in the future with the Chair proposing a potential joint meeting of the P&Z Regulations Revision Subcommittee and the P&Z Open Space Subcommittee, and asking for the Parks and Recreation Commission to participate by bringing a draft plan to that meeting so that participants can see what is being proposed and what zoning changes might be necessary to effectuate any plan.

Downpours Postpone Levitt Concert to September 11th

Tonight’s downpours postponed Borboletta: A Tribute to Santana, with the music group now planning to be on stage on September 11th. WestportLocal.com photo

MoCA and WAAC Will Exhibit Westport Public Art Collections (WestPAC) Works in Winter Show

Contributed piece from the WestPAC collection. Photos by Larry Silver, Yangzhou, China, 1997-2000

Two community-focused arts organizations, MoCA Westport and Westport Arts Advisory Committee (WAAC), are excited to announce a new collaboration that will commence with an exhibition at MoCA featuring selected works from Westport Public Art Collections (WestPAC). The exhibition will be co-curated by Westport Town Curator Kathie Bennewitz and Liz Leggett, MoCA Westport's Director of Exhibitions. The exhibition will be on view at MoCA Westport (19 Newtown Turnpike) in the Winter of 2021/22.

WAAC's mission is to bring attention to Westport's artistic treasures, of which WestPAC is the most significant. "WestPAC has a foundation that dates back to 1910, with more than 1500 artworks displayed in schools and municipal buildings to create rich learning and visually stimulating environments," stated Bennewitz. "A partnership with MoCA Westport, with their expansive gallery space, is an ideal venue for ongoing thematic exhibitions from our collection," she added.

"We strive to present thought-provoking and relevant arts experiences, and we look forward to sharing WestPAC works that are often displayed in settings that may be inaccessible to the public. We hope that through this collaboration, we can create a dialogue, reframe perspectives and build community," stated Ruth Mannes, MoCA Westport's Executive Director.

Country Playhouse Announces Live, In-Person Shows Return this Fall

Photo by Robert Benson

Westport Country Playhouse announces that in-person theatrical productions will resume this fall with a live staging of the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning drama, “Doubt: A Parable,” playing November 2 through November 20. In addition, the play will be filmed before a live audience for on-demand streaming at home. “Doubt” is written by John Patrick Shanley and directed by David Kennedy, Playhouse associate artistic director.

“Following the close of our 2019 season of plays, no one could have predicted that we would not produce a play on our stage in the presence of an audience until 23 months later,” said Michael Barker, Playhouse managing director. “For more than a year, we have produced online, outdoors, and on the radio, providing theatrical and educational programming for our immediate community and audiences around the world. Recently, we returned to the theater with comedy and cabaret performances, a toe in the waters of normalcy.

“Now we are back with one of the finest examples of modern American drama, beautifully produced on our stage in the presence of a living, breathing audience,” added Barker. ‘We simply cannot wait to welcome you back for ‘Doubt’!’ 

Earlier this year, the Playhouse announced an all-virtual 2021 season when pandemic safety concerns prevented producing a live show. Easing guidelines at federal, state, and local levels, as well as those of theatrical unions, has opened the door to live theater. As of July 28, 2021, all Playhouse visitors must provide proof of their Covid-19 vaccination to attend any performance or event at the Playhouse. In addition, all visitors, volunteers, and staff are required to wear a mask (unless part of the performance).

For updates on Covid-19 health and safety protocols at the Playhouse, please visit westportplayhouse.org/visit/covid19safety/  

The Playhouse’s 2021 season also includes two HD video productions from the Playhouse archives streaming on-demand: the musical, “Man of La Mancha” (2018), from August 23 through September 5, and John Steinbeck’s drama, “Of Mice and Men” (2008), from September 13 through 26. Both productions are directed by Mark Lamos, Westport Country Playhouse artistic director. All virtual content in the Playhouse’s 2021 season will be available on demand for patrons’ convenience, with captions in both English and Spanish translation. The complete schedule of 2021 Playhouse events is listed at:  https://www.westportplayhouse.org

The 2021 season is generously supported by the Eunice and David Bigelow Foundation. 2021 season Media Sponsors are Moffly Media and WSHU Public Radio. The production of “Doubt: A Parable” is sponsored by the Eunice and David Bigelow Foundation, and Judy and Scott Phares.

All play titles, artists, dates, and formats are subject to change.  

To purchase tickets, visit westportplayhouse.org, call the box office at (203) 227-4177, or email boxoffice@westportplayhouse.org. Stay connected to the Playhouse on Facebook (Westport Country Playhouse), follow on Twitter (@WCPlayhouse), and on YouTube (WestportPlayhouse).