“While the neighbors appreciate the value of children’s sports, we do not agree with the concept of permanent, organized team sports in a residential area. In an attempt to be good neighbors and due to the changes brought on by Covid, we’re going to agree to a temporary use to allow team practices to continue, but we do not agree with the highly unusual request to allow team sports. Nor do we think the Town of Greenwich would benefit.”
JT Coe statement from neighborsMr. Coe said the Sept 2021 sunset clause was central to the neighbors’ offer.
“We are far apart at this point,” he said.
Neighbor Victoria Melly said, “We are a neighborhood, not a coalition.”
She said Mr. Bartoszek had previously talked about the special permit expiring when his son aged out of the Cal Ripken under 12 program.
“We based our negotiation upon this,” she said. “Now what I learn tonight is in fact he really wants nine more years because he has a three year old who wants the same use.”
Belinda Badcock said the enjoyment and value of neighbors’ properties had been impacted.
“We’re not the bad guys here,” she said, describing the application process as “backwards” because the ballfield was already in use when a violation from the zoning enforcement officer was issued, followed by a second violation.
James Ritman, who is not a neighbor, but is a coach in town and has friends whose children are on the team, said he was speaking on behalf of coaches.
“Over 60% of practices have been at the coaches’ houses with kids on the teams,” he said, adding that that spoke to the larger issue of lack of fields in town.
“This is going on in the town at a very large level all of the time. To say you can’t do that would almost shut down team sports,” he said. “These gentlemen, these coaches, deserve praise for what they’ve done for this town, for the kids on the team, for providing a field…”
George Holdefehr agreed. “Let the children play. This is a safe environment,” he said.
“If we’re going to nitpick about children playing in a yard during daylight hours, as opposed to parties at night, fireworks, animals, it’s bad for Greenwich and bad for America,” he said. “If we’re going to become Orwellian in the way we manage our town, it’s very scary.”
“It’s about wholesome fun and there’s plenty of parking,” said Maxwell Vanderslice. “
Bobby Valentine described himself as a bystander, friend of Mr. Bartozek, executive director of athletics at Sacred Heart University, and owner of a sports academy.
“Probably the two greatest problems we have in our community – from Darien through Greenwich – is, a, the lack of facilities and, b, the lack of coaches,” Valentine said. “This application seems to check both those boxes.”
“In the environment we’re living in right now, it would be almost sinful if this team, and this group, and those who follow them, wouldn’t be allowed to have a safe, well-coached environment where they can excel… and I really hope the neighbors are not intruded on in any way at all,” Valentine added.
At the end of the hearing, the item was left open. The commission will take two weeks to mull over whether to deny the application or accept it with conditions.
Residents are invited to submit emails to Katie DeLuca P&Z director at [email protected].
“I do believe we have a permitted use in the zone,” Heagney said in closing, adding that many conditions had been agreed to by Mr. Bartozek to address neighbors’ concerns. “My client made a good faith offer to limited practices back on June 3.”
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