Bad reviews prompt P&Z to yank movie theater reg

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The Planning and Zoning Commission on Thursday withdrew a text amendment designed to facilitate development of a new movie theater in downtown Westport after residents again turned out to pan the proposal.

Developed by a P&Z subcommittee, Text Amendment 637 would have allowed downtown zoning districts -- such as the Business Center District and Historic Design District -- to be rezoned with a "Theater Overlay Zone." The overlay would have relaxed a series of zoning regulations to encourage the development of a new theater. Since its introduction last week, however, the amendment has been maligned by many residents for a provision in its text that would have allowed a 60-foot height for a two-level theater.

Reacting to a renewed chorus of public opposition Thursday night, several P&Z commissioners quickly sought to jettison the proposal.

"I think that we are not moving forward in a productive fashion," said commissioner Nora Jinishian. "At this point, I feel we're wasting a lot of people's time."

But the withdrawal of the amendment did not command all commissioners' support, as Howard Lathrop argued against discarding the proposal.

"I think it sets a very bad precedent that a few people can come up and waylay the actions of the group because of really one aspect of the application," he said.

With support from four commissioners -- Chairman Ron Corwin, David Press, Michael Krawiec and Jinishian -- the P&Z nonetheless decided to abandon the amendment. Lathrop voted against the withdrawal, while Ellie Lowenstein abstained.

Despite the amendment's demise, members of the Westport Cinema Initiative, a nonprofit group working to bring a new movie theater downtown -- were not dejected.

"I really want to speak to the commission and thank them for the respectful and open way in which these meetings have been held," said WCI Director Sandy Lefkowitz. "I thank you because you were very cognizant that we really need to have support to help the movie theater."

At a P&Z public hearing last week, Lefkowitz had expressed concern about the amendment possibly producing a "polarization" of public opinion over plans for a downtown movie house.

WCI plans to raise several million dollars to finance construction of an independently run downtown theater with two to three screens and about 200 seats. WCI is considering several locations for the theater, including the parking lot next to the Main Street restaurant, Tavern on Main. WCI's design parameters for theater building height range from 23 feet to 27 feet, according to a P&Z Department report.

Based on audience comments at Thursday's meeting, the return of a smaller-scale movie theater appears to have strong public support. Westport has not had a cinema since the Fine Arts theaters closed in 1999.

"I think a movie theater is a great thing," said Sal Liccione, a Main Street resident and Representative Town Meeting candidate in District 9. "I think people should stop complaining. If they want stuff built, they should just have it built."

The amendment's failure also raises questions about the extent of public support for the P&Z's broader agenda, which is focused on downtown revitalization. During the last two years, the commission has approved a series of text amendments focused on the dining industry that try to encourage more evening activity in the town's center. Those initiatives generally have not faced substantial criticism. But more far-reaching initiatives, such as possible regulatory changes to allow for a downtown parking garage, may prove more difficult to achieve.

The commission's agenda could also be affected by member turnover. Press, Krawiec and Lowenstein will not seek re-election in the November municipal election, while Catherine Walsh will run for her first full-term. She succeeded former commissioner Helen Martin Block, who stepped down in 2008. Corwin, Jinishian and Lathrop's terms run until 2013.

Nevertheless, revitalization of the town center will likely continue to figure in P&Z deliberations in coming months. Asked by an audience member about the rationale for Text Amendment 637, Corwin said he sought to work collaboratively with other town leaders on new proposals for downtown Westport.

"The fuss was all about the desire to ... support some of the exciting new downtown things that were emerging in the town," Corwin said. "I, along with some of my colleagues, believed that we wanted to try to give a boost to that to make it real."