How this headline may connect to industries in New Jersey. Technical scores are below — click any ? for what a metric means.
Apple Montessori loses bid to open first Connecticut school.WESTPORT — Despite Apple Montessori Schools’ hope to open its first Connecticut location in Westport, a state Superior Court judge has decided otherwise, upholding the Planning and Zoning Commission’s decision to deny the proposal.After nearly nine months of legal proceedings, the court dismissed Apple Montessori’s appeal of the commission’s denial of its application to open a school at 980 Post Road East.Advertisement Article continues below this ad "The Westport Planning and Zoning Commission issued a comprehensive fact-based decision, which should not be disturbed," the court wrote in its 17-page ruling.The court cited inadequate parking and traffic concerns among the reasons for upholding the commission’s decision.According to the ruling, zoning regulations required 32.4 parking spaces for the proposed early childhood learning center, but Apple’s plan included only 24 spaces.The school would have served 124 children, from infants through age 6.Want more Norwalk Hour?“The number of spaces provided is insufficient to meet this standard and does not adequately accommodate staff, parents and visitors,” the court wrote.“As a result, there is a significant concern that parking will spill over onto neighborhood properties, including adjacent commercial uses.” Advertisement Article continues below this ad The court also pointed to traffic issues near the site, noting that vehicles using the adjacent Starbucks drive-thru frequently back up onto Post Road East, creating a hazardous condition."The testimony of residents, coupled with the Commission’s own knowledge of the traffic issues presented, provides substantial evidence to justify the denial of the special permit application," the decision states.Erica Amon, Apple Montessori’s vice president of development, called the ruling a “significant loss” for the company."We’ve invested a lot of money into this project.This would have been an amazing and beautiful addition to the community," Amon said."It would have been a huge service to the community.The lack of available childcare should be an ever-present thought." Advertisement Article continues below this ad Amon said the company will discuss next steps with its attorney, Amy Souchuns of Hartford-based MacDermid Reynolds & Glissman.Founded in 1972, Apple Montessori Schools operates 21 private Montessori schools in New Jersey and is preparing to open its first Pennsylvania location this fall.The company had hoped the Westport school would become its first Connecticut campus.Apple planned to redevelop a vacant 7,000-square-foot, two-story commercial building at 980 Post Road East.The company is under contract to purchase the property from Westport-based Sterling Development.The building, formerly occupied by Bank of America, includes second-floor office space and a drive-thru.Apple’s proposal called for extensive interior renovations and a 1,211-square-foot first-floor addition.Advertisement Article continues below this ad In July 2025, the Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously denied the special permit application, concluding that “the intensity of the proposed use, including increased traffic, parking needs, and daily operational activity, conflicts with the site’s limitations.” Westport is home to over a dozen childcare centers and nursery school programs, including A Child’s Place, Children's Community Development Center, Earthplace, The Goddard School of Westport, Learning Community Day School, and Old Hill Children’s Day School.Others include Bright Beginnings Early Childhood Program, Christ and Holy Trinity Preschool, Westport-Weston Co-op Nursery School, Greens Farms Nursery School, Stepping Stones Preschool and The Little Gan 329.