BUILDING A STRONGER MORE VIBRANT COMMUNITY TOGETHER
About us
The Coalition for Westport (CFW), was founded in 2012 by a group of long-time residents—Democrats, Independents, and Republicans—committed to shaping the town’s future with vision and balance. Concerned that too many Planning & Zoning decisions focused only on “preserving the past,” we came together to advocate for policies that respect Westport’s heritage while addressing the evolving needs of our community.
Over the past decade, CFW has grown into a strong civic voice and local political party. We have run and supported forward-thinking candidates, influenced town use policy, proposed ordinances consistent with the Town Plan, and engaged thoughtfully on major land-use issues.
Our mission: to promote smart growth, creative planning, and broad civic engagement that preserve Westport’s unique character while ensuring a vibrant, sustainable future for all who live here.
January 2026 - Letter to First Selectman Kevin Christie
Community Outreach Programs
Dear First Selectman Christie
On behalf of the Coalition for Westport, we respectfully submit the following land use and planning issues for your consideration. Each of these proposals is intended to improve safety, sustainability, and long-term planning outcomes for the Town of Westport while preserving the character and livability of our community.
- Cribari Bridge
While we understand and appreciate the sentiment of those who would preserve the bridge in its present configuration, we think that improving its functionality, traffic flow and safety should be the first priority. If that can be accomplished in an aesthetically acceptable manner, we would favor that approach. Connecticut DOT has cautioned us that the design phase of the project is in the very early stages, but they have also said that it is possible, through a combination of design choices and town initiatives to restrict truck traffic on adjacent roadways, while bringing the bridge up to acceptable standards without inviting additional unwanted traffic.
We urge the town to keep all options on the table and to continue to work with CT DOT as it attempts to satisfy a daunting host of bureaucratic requirements.
2. Relocation of the Police Station (perhaps the Fire Station as well)
Assuming adequate land is available, we recommend planning for the relocation of the police station (Fire Station) to the east side of the I-95 connector. This relocation would create greater flexibility and opportunity for the development, redevelopment, and overall improvement of the downtown area, while continuing to meet public safety needs.
3. Parking Garage at the Baldwin Parking Area
We encourage the Town to review the cost, feasibility, and desirability of constructing a parking garage over the Baldwin parking area. Such a structure could provide essential parking replacement when the Parker-Harding parking lot is upgraded to conform with federal safety standards, thereby minimizing the loss of downtown parking capacity. The visual impact would be minimal because of the slope of the lot.
At the same time, we recommend looking into the possibility of extending the Parker Harding lot by building out on pilings over the river because the merchants want to maintain the same number of slots.
4. Relocation of Community Gardens to Winslow Park
With the significant increase in new apartment development, community gardens are becoming an essential amenity that allows residents to enjoy nature and grow food. We propose relocating the community gardens to the open and infrequently used portion of Winslow Park that abuts Compo North. This area offers good soil, ample sunlight, an existing water supply, and space for a small parking area. The gardens would comply with zoning regulations, be visually attractive, and enhance community engagement and environmental stewardship.
5. Creation of a “Swap Shop” at the Transfer Station
We recommend constructing a small shed or building at the transfer station (or perhaps at Winslow Park parking lot) to serve as a “swap shop.” This facility would allow residents to drop off and recycle useful household items, tools, and equipment rather than discarding them into garbage containers, reducing waste and promoting sustainability.
6. Appointment of a Charter Revision Commission
Finally, we urge the creation of a Charter Revision Commission to consider permitting a separate Planning Commission. Such a commission could independently review, develop, and propose long-range planning ideas for consideration by the Zoning Commission, strengthening coordination and improving the quality of planning decisions in Westport. We note that an extra burden will be placed on the Planning function by the requirement of HB 2001 that the town enact a housing plan. At the same time a review of the Charter would be an opportunity to clarify provisions that have been subject to varying interpretations.
We appreciate your attention to these matters and your continued commitment to thoughtful planning and responsible growth. The Coalition for Westport would welcome the opportunity to discuss these ideas further and to participate constructively in any future review process.
Thank you for your consideration.
Respectfully submitted,
Coalition for Westport
Ron Corwin, Chairman
Ken Bernhard
Larry Weisman
Roger Leifer
Denise Torve
Michael Dinshaw
Ross Brukhardt
Joe Strickland
Mike Nayor
Craig schiavone
About Craig Schiavone
Craig Rebecca Schiavone is a retired executive and community leader with more than 20 years in Westport. She has extensive experience in urban planning, historic preservation, and nonprofit management, serving as Co-Chair of the Saugatuck Transit-Oriented Development Master Plan Commission and on the Westport 2020 and 2022 committees.
Professionally, she founded and led two firms: Schiavone Management Consulting Group, advising nonprofits on strategy and governance, and Schiavone Management Company, which developed over two million square feet of real estate with a focus on adaptive reuse. Earlier, she managed major revitalization projects for the City of New Haven.
WHAT WE STAND FOR
WHY 2025 MATTERS
This is an important election year for Westport. The choices we make now will shape the community for generations to come. Broad civic engagement—listening, sharing, and collaborating—is more crucial than ever.
Key Issues Facing Westport
Affordable Housing: Support solutions that meet community needs while protecting Westport’s character.
Police Headquarters Relocation: Ensure that planning for new facilities balances efficiency, cost, and neighborhood impact.
Cribari Bridge: Safety first: improve traffic flow, reduce congestion with consideration for the bridge Landmark status.
Barron’s South Property: Shape the future of this key public asset for the benefit of all residents.
Long Lots School: Advocate for responsible school planning that meets student needs and respects the neighborhood.
Saugatuck: Work toward development that is thoughtful, scaled appropriately, and aligned with community goals.
Downtown Parking: Improve accessibility to support a parking structure compatible with a thriving, walkable, and welcoming downtown.
Coalition News, positions and more
Downtown Westport
We strongly support the findings of the Downtown Plan, which highlights what makes Westport unique—our small-town character, riverfront setting, vibrant restaurants, cultural activities, and high-quality shopping. The RBA Group did an excellent job balancing past proposals and charting a path to ensure downtown remains a thriving town center for the whole community.
We urge the Planning & Zoning Commission, Board of Selectmen, RTM, and Downtown Plan Implementation Committee to adopt zoning tailored to this vision and to secure funding to make it a reality.
Key recommendations:
- Encourage a mix of apartments, restaurants, entertainment, and retail to bring vitality downtown.
- Redesign Parker Harding Plaza to relocate parking and open the riverfront.
- Manage traffic flow and pedestrian circulation.
Housing
Affordable and Senior housing
Connecticut law requires towns to promote housing choice and economic diversity. If Westport fails to plan, developers can bypass local zoning under State Statute 8-30g. Although we currently enjoy a moratorium, now is the time to act—planning responsibly so that affordable housing is created in ways that fit our community and Plan of Conservation & Development.
Key recommendations:
- Amend zoning to allow starter homes, smaller lots, and accessory units.
- Update the POCD to identify appropriate sites for affordable housing and extend the moratorium.
- Ensure below-market housing is spread equitably, not clustered into enclaves
- Revisit Baron’s South: create senior housing on a small portion and preserve the rest as open space, forming a downtown greenbelt.
Thoughtful planning is the best way to meet statutory goals while sustaining Westport’s charm and ensuring a healthy, diverse community.
Saugatuck in Westport
The Coalition has always supported some commercial development. In different incarnations we sponsored outdoor dining, increased the number of restaurants in town, approved development of the Y at Mahackeno, including an expansion of the pool and summer camp, and allowed more than a single home office in a residence. While we support redevelopment of Saugatuck, we think the town – must do better than the plan submitted by ROAN for “the Hamlet.” is overwhelming, completely out of scale and lacks the elements that create a sense of community…Engaging residential components including affordable housing when balanced with smart commercial components help develop a sense of community, which we deem to be essential. Our goal for Saugatuck is the same as for all developments: to strike the optimum balance between preserving the character of Westport and responding thoughtfully and proactively to the real-world, growth-related challenges that bear most directly on the quality of life in our town.
join the conversation
We believe that effective advocacy must be rooted in the broadest possible range of opinions and ideas. We want to hear from you.
If you’d like to learn more about the Coalition, share your perspective, or get involved in shaping Westport’s future, please reach out:
Get Involved
Your voice matters. Stay informed, share your perspective, and help us shape Westport’s future together.
Contact Us Today
Email: WestportCoalition@gmail.com
Coalition for Westport members include
Ron Corwin, Chair
Ron Corwin, Chair
Ron Corwin, Chair
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Ron Corwin, Chair, is a management consultant who was a member of the the P&Z from 2004 to 2012 and was the P&Z chair from 2005 to 2012. The zoning approvals during his tenure included increasing the number of restaurants on Main Street, relocating the Y to Mahackeno, launching the Bedford Square project, and making it possible for homes to include more than one office so that two Westport residents could work from home.
Ken Bernhard
Ron Corwin, Chair
Ron Corwin, Chair
Ken Bernhard, Deputy Chair is an attorney who has been active in community affairs for more than 35 years. Ken was the Wilton Town Attorney for twenty five years, the Weston Town Attorney for ten years, and was the town attorney for Westport for the following four periods: 1981-1985, 1989-1993, and 1997. He has served, or presently serves, as a Board of Directors member of the Westport Public Library; Visiting Nurse and Hospice of Fairfield County; The Westport Chamber of Commerce; the Westport Historical Society; and the Aspetuck Land Trust. In addition Ken has previously served as Westport Third Selectman and a member of the ZBA.
Larry Weisman
Ron Corwin, Chair
Larry Weisman
Larry Weisman, Policy Chair is a retired attorney who specialized throughout his 50-year law career in zoning and land use issues. He has been involved (both pro and con) in many significant Westport projects including Gorham Island, the mixed use development in Saugatuck, and the Y. He currently works on a pro bono basis for non-profits including the Westport Library, the Aspetuck Land Trust, and the Fairfield County Hospice House.
Denise Torve
Larry Weisman
Denise Torve, press and public relations is a public relations and community organization specialist who has lived in Westport for 20 years. She has served in leadership and staff positions for a wide range of local and national organizations, including the Westport Historical Society, First Night Westport/Weston, Tiny Miracles, and Stand For The Troops.
Marcia Falk
Marcia Falk
Marcia Falk is a speech therapist and real estate professional who moved to Westport 10 years ago after having lived for 20 years in Brighton, NY, where she was a member of the P&Z, and the chairman of the Assessment Review Board and a member of the Genessee Trust. Since moving to Westport she has been working in the public school with children who require speech, language and communication therapy.