Westport Conservation on Wednesday continued a hearing on a proposed beach boardwalk sought at Westport Point until its next meeting in September.
Applicants Keith Miranda and Michael Tzannes, …
This item is available in full to subscribers.
Please log in to continue |
Register to post eventsIf you'd like to post an event to our calendar, you can create a free account by clicking here. Note that free accounts do not have access to our subscriber-only content. |
Are you a day pass subscriber who needs to log in? Click here to continue.
Westport Conservation on Wednesday continued a hearing on a proposed beach boardwalk sought at Westport Point until its next meeting in September.
Applicants Keith Miranda and Michael Tzannes, owners of 0 Cherry & Webb Lane and 1 Nick's Way, seek approval to install a gangway-bridge and approximately 600 feet of boardwalk that would provide beach access from their property.
The board's continuance without comment comes as a group of local residents and the Westport River Watershed Alliance recently asked the town to carefully consider the project and its potential impact on the fragile beach area.
"While we understand that this project is likely approvable, we would argue that simply because something can be built, does not mean that building it is necessary or appropriate," wrote WRWA Executive Director Deborah Weaver in a July 15 letter to the conservation commission.
"The necessity of this boardwalk seems to be an egregious environmental disruption of a fragile and sensitive dune area, while there already exists public and private access to the beach."
Should the conservation commission approve the project, she wrote, "it may lead to others who have the urge to create their own private access ways. We strongly urge you to minimize the impact and damage fo this proposed boardwalk.
The other letter was signed by several dozen Westport residents and was received by the commission on Thursday, July 29. In it, residents wrote of their fear of setting a precedent that could lead to further development in the fragile area.
"You are the town's best opportunity to protect this fragile ecosystem and can set conditions to protect it," they wrote.
Should the commission vote to approve, they wrote, the town would be well-served by placing conditions on the approval including limiting the cutting of and removal of trees, make sure there is a maintenance plan annually reviewed by the town, and hold the applicants responsible for any damage done during or after construction."