Westport planners seek Select Board OK to file barrier-beach NOI, highlight ADA access steps

Town planner Michael Burrus and coastal scientist Justine Rooney told the Commission on Disability on June 22 that the town is seeking Select Board authorization to file a Notice of Intent (NOI) with the Westport Conservation Commission to permit limited, near-term measures on the barrier beach, such as sand fencing, improved signage and mobile access mats intended to improve ADA access.

Burrus said the project grew out of a two-year effort with Woods Hole Group following severe overwash events on East Beach Road and that the plan focuses on day-to-day operations rather than long-range redesign. "This plan covers the day-to-day management of the beaches as it exists today," Rooney told commissioners, noting the NOI lists activities that would require review under the Wetlands Protection Act.

Rooney said the proposed near-term permits are not intended to remove parking spaces; instead, the application would allow sand fencing and the addition of a second mobile mat at the town access point while the team continues stakeholder-driven planning for phased changes. "We're seeking approval from the Select Board tonight to file a notice of intent with the Westport Conservation Commission for those activities," Rooney said.

Commission members pressed the presenters on specific accessibility measures. Consultants described L- and T-shaped mobile mats to extend firm access for wheelchairs, and recommended adding ADA-marked parking at the town opening as a near-term step. Commissioners discussed surface-treatment limits: the barrier-beach and coastal-storm-flowage mapping restricts asphalt placement on the eastern 200 feet of roadway, though pervious pavers or engineered stone may be allowable in the western section with maintenance obligations.

The presenters said the plan strengthens future grant applications. "Having that and being able to put that with a grant application strengthens the application," Rooney said, adding that the NOI and plan package is extensive — "My whole NOI application, I believe, is about 800 pages long." They told the commission a short handout and the draft plan are available on the town planning website and offered to email materials to commissioners.

On emergency access, consultants said responders would use existing access points (town opening or land-trust access) and that the NOI can include limited allowances for on-sand vehicles if Natural Heritage approves such use for life-safety purposes. The team also noted state grant timelines and the competitive nature of funding; if awarded, grant money could support sand-fencing and mobile-mat purchases and later phases of access work.

The commission agreed to remain engaged as stakeholders and requested the three-page summary and draft plan be circulated to members ahead of Select Board and conservation hearings. The Select Board will consider whether to authorize the NOI filing, which would begin formal permitting and public hearings with the Conservation Commission.