Letters to the editor: Linxweiler property

Hoping for

continued support

As the interim executive director of Homes with Hope/Interfaith Housing Association, I'd like to share some information about our work and our proposed supportive housing project on the Linxweiler property on the Post Road.

Since I've been at Homes with Hope, I have seen an amazing outpouring of support from Westport community residents. People express their confidence in our work in so many ways. They give countless hours preparing and serving meals; they give the gift of time, to mentor our clients; and they put tremendous effort and energy into their roles as board members. As far as material contributions, our donors help to make Homes with Hope the great resource it is.

I've personally met and spoken with clients, board members, volunteers and staff. In the process, I've encountered some of the most impressive individuals I've ever met. At the top of my list are staff members -- individuals who strive each day to prepare shelter clients for permanent housing. With sensitivity, expertise, dedication, and an array of clinical skills, these professionals routinely go beyond their job requirements to guide clients to success.

For people who have been homeless, success is, very simply, a permanent place to live. Supportive housing provides that opportunity, along with on-site services for those who need assistance as they begin to live independently. The combination of one's own apartment and continuing oversight to ensure success, makes it possible for once-homeless people to thrive. Our staff help these people to achieve stability.

What happens when an individual or a family moves into a supportive housing apartment? Our staff members are in contact with them many times each week. They visit, telephone, and actively help them arrange job interviews and access the assistance they need. No one is left to cope on their own. They receive caring guidance and access to the resources that can help them.

After 12 years of experience, we have proven that we manage supportive housing well -- responsibly, effectively and with respect for the areas in which our programs are developed.

Although I've worked in nonprofit management for more than 25 years, as someone new to Westport, I'm impressed with how many people have welcomed our programs to their neighborhoods: Sauagatuck Avenue, West End Avenue and Bacharach Community. I urge you to examine our history and see for yourself that Homes with Hope/Homes with Hope has served Westport and its citizens well. I hope you'll continue to support our efforts to do so.

Cathy J. Cohen,

Interim Executive Director,

Homes with Hope/Homes with Hope

Protesting

proposed plans

I am a Westporter who lives on Crescent Road and am writing to protest the town's plan for a 75-year lease extension to the Homes with Hope in order to build 10-12 one to two housing units on the Linxwiler property for its clients.

I have lived in this area for the past 12 years and moved to the town because of its charm and small town feel. There is very little green space on the Post Road and adding these units would truly change the character of our small close-knit neighborhood.

This lease extension was attempted in 1997 and turned down by the P&Z because of the desires stated in Joanna Linxweiler's will. Linxweiler left her property to the town in 1981 because "the town of Westport has been good to my family and to me. I feel that there should be some green areas preserved along the Post Road rather than only commercial buildings."

The town also considered selling this property in 1991 in order to raise money for the town and turned down the sale because of the desires in Linxweiler's will. At the time of the attempted sale of this property, Edgar See, the attorney who wrote Linxweiler's will said, "I think that it would be shabby and a violation of good faith," -- "There are things the town should consider more seriously than money."

See is no longer living and available to stand up for her wishes, but his words still exist from an article written in The Hour of Norwalk on Feb. 5, 1991. It is interesting to note that his law firm now represents the town and will not discuss the issue due to a "conflict of interest with the town." Another interesting issue included in this article was a question from then acting P&Z Chairman Theodore Mueller who asked the First Selectman Douglas Wood at the time to withdraw his request until an alternate site could be found for the Homes with Hope project. The first selectman's response was, "I know of no other alternative space. I need to ask you, who would want a house full of recovering alcoholics and addicts living next door?"

The hearing scheduled for later this month (Feb. 25). I have concerns for a town that would not honor the will of someone who thought enough of it to leave precious green space for its use. To argue the words of her will to fit their needs seems morally wrong. I believe that such a decision would be a cautionary tale for any Westport resident who might consider making such a generous gift in the future. It is for this larger impact of respecting the wishes of a deceased neighbor and Westport resident that I believe this issue is not only a neighborhood issue, but personally impacts every current and future resident of our wonderful town. I hope that our P&Z Commission understands the serious ramifications of this decision before them.

Debra H Levin

Westport

Lease is extreme

There are many obvious issues with the plans for this property. Amongst them is that the Homes With Hope's plans undoubtedly violate the wishes of Linxweiler and her family as clearly expressed in her will. Crowding an historic property like the Linxweiler House will undoubtedly change the integrity of the land Linxweiler specifically gifted to the town as green space. Should it be OK for the Homes with Hope to use the property as they wish? Should the town offer such an excessive lease of 75 years? What about the residents of area? What are their rights?

The proposed tenants of the facility (at least 12 apartments) are expected to house formerly homeless, mentally disabled individuals and families some of which suffer substance abuse and mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, manic depression and post traumatic stress syndrome among others.

This facility will be largely unsupervised (the only requirement, a case worker visit once a week). Is that adequate? Who is responsible for the safety of the neighborhood this is being proposed in? What about their quality of life? What about their property values?

The residents of Crescent Road and surrounding areas pay taxes to live in this town too. Should the residents live in fear of having their children play within yards of this mostly unsupervised facility?

A 75-year lease is extreme. In today's unstable economic climate, there's no way to predict whether Homes With Hope, a nonprofit organization, will be able to financially support its housing project for 75 years, as well as keep the neighborhood standards they are promising. Granting the Homes With Hope a 75-year lease puts the neighborhood at risk, the town at risk, and the potential housing project residents at risk.

Note, this exact proposal was brought before the P&Z commission in 1997 and it was denied. Nothing new is being proposed, while the reasons for the denial remain the same. The reasons for the denial include:

1. The intent of Linxweiler's will was to preserve her homestead for public use/enjoyment.

2. If the lot is sold, it will become commercial use against the spirit of the will.

3. If the property is sold for commercial use against the spirit of the will, the town may lose future donations.

4. The 75-year lease is excessive.

5. Other locations should have been considered for the Homes with Hope Housing proposal.

6. The proposed lease and plan is not in conformance with the wishes of Joanna Linxweiler who wanted the property to be kept as a green area on the Post Road.

7. The town should not transfer long-term responsibility for this town-owned property to another entity, in this case Homes with Hope.

8. The federal government should not be dictating planning for the town.

9. There is a need to consider the impact on the residential neighborhood and the concern of the neighbors.

So everybody wins? I beg to differ ...

Scott Friedman

Westport