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[December 2017] Main Street construction proposal riles nearby residents

Lili Romann ’19

Neighbors of the Weston/Easton Rd. intersection have expressed concern regarding traffic congestion and potential fatalities that result from development at 500 Main St., the former site of DayBreak Nursery. Able Construction Incorporated has proposed to develop 12 living units at the site, near the Merritt Parkway’s exit 42.

Among opponents of the construction is Kristina Ludel ’19. “[The area] is just going to get jammed up and create more traffic,” she said.

Karen Sherman, a Westport resident who lives near the intersection, supports the development overall, but has similar concerns about traffic. “Before construction begins, I would like to see the town and the state formulate and provide funding for an acceptable plan to solve the traffic problem at this intersection that will inevitably result,” Sherman said.

Mary Ellen Gallagher, a realtor from Coldwell Banker Real Estate, was among the attendees of the recent Westport Planning and Zoning Committee (P&Z) hearings and does not believe the 12 additional units will “adversely impact” the pre existing traffic.

Peter Greenberg, owner of Able Construction, also does not think the traffic will be increased significantly. “During rush hour, approximately 300 cars go through that intersection, and we are talking about adding a couple of cars into that mix which is very, very minor,” Greenberg said.

Greenberg said two hired traffic consultants, financed by Able Construction, determined that, on average, 24 vehicles would leave the site each day.

He initially proposed construction of four mansions to the P&Z, following their purchase of the two and a quarter acre space roughly three and a half years ago. However, P&Z requested more, smaller units, particularly with a senior requirement or financial accommodation.

Gallagher also defended the development because she said 60 percent of the condos will be restricted to residents 55 years and older.

“The town is in really desperate need of decent condo housing for, in particular, seniors, who want and who need to stay in town but don’t have a place to downsize to,” Gallagher said. “The town and the state have to go in and really rework the entire area.”

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