04/08/10 Candace Garthwaite says this was all done "behind closed doors"

Old Greenwich couple receive zoning approval for subdivision despite neighbors' misgivings
Frank MacEachern, Staff Writer

An Old Greenwich couple received approval to subdivide their property into two lots, but not before some testy comments made by the couple and some neighbors.

Erford Porter II and his wife Jane succeeded Tuesday, four years after they had been initially denied by the Planning and Zoning Commission in their first attempt to subdivide the property at 34 Park Ave.

However, any drainage system they install -- in an area that is prone to flooding during storms -- must first be approved by town agencies before a building permit would be granted on the lots, the commission ruled.

Erford Porter, who said he was referred to as "the rain man at town hall" for his lobbying of the town to improve its storm water and flood control, said the couple agreed to the stipulation.....