Letter: Planners’ input welcome on flawed Westport school site plan

Posted 12/6/18

To the editor:

Last week (November 27) the Planning Board met with the School Building Committee for the Site Plan Review of the new school in Westport. The Town of Westport's Zoning By-Laws …

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Letter: Planners’ input welcome on flawed Westport school site plan

Posted

To the editor:

Last week (November 27) the Planning Board met with the School Building Committee for the Site Plan Review of the new school in Westport. The Town of Westport's Zoning By-Laws approved by Town Meeting has a site plan review process.

Under Article 15.1 Powers and Administrative Procedure it states, "The Planning Board may impose, in addition to any applicable conditions specified in this section, such conditions as reasonably appropriate to improve the site design and/or mitigate the impacts of the proposed development."

The Planning Board may also(under Stormwater Management, 11.5.8)" require that exiting drainage problems on/or adjacent to the site be mitigated as a condition of approval." 

As a retired educator who has been involved in over 40 different school designed projects from elementary schools, junior highs, regional high schools, and numerous college and university projects, I for one appreciate and support the participation and input of the Westport Planning Board.

I am a member of the school building committee, and also hold a doctorate in education administration. I do not speak for the SBC and I did not support the site plans as presented to the Planning Board. I will continue to support and I have always supported this new school project.

Nevertheless, it is my professional opinion that changes to this site plan are needed. In addition, as a school building committee member, former selectmen for six years, and former finance committee chair, I can't just let one point of view be heard on this matter.

Drainage from the present Elementary School needs to be corrected to not adversely affect neighboring taxpayers’ property. The proposed tennis court needs to located on a flat area either on site or other areas where proposed or existing ball fields now exist. Construction of the tennis courts on a steep hill requiring an18 foot retention wall to level the court playing area, is extremely costly and a maintenance nightmare.

I would like to personally thank the Westport Planning Board for their role and participation in this process. I believe their input could be valuable to the Westport School Building Committee, and the taxpayers of Westport!

Dr. Antone Vieira

Westport

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