Residents of Weston voiced strong opposition during a recent city commission meeting regarding a proposed development project that could significantly alter the community's landscape. The project, which aims to introduce hundreds of rental units, has raised concerns about increased traffic, overcrowded schools, and the overall impact on the neighborhood's character.

Several residents, including Nathaniel Hamilton and Monica MacArthur, expressed worries about potential confusion arising from the project's name, which shares a title with their community, \"The Gables.\" Hamilton highlighted past issues with emergency services due to similar naming conflicts, while MacArthur questioned the accuracy of projected student enrollment increases, suggesting that the actual number would likely be much higher than the developer's estimate of 61 additional students.

Viviana Lopez and Grace Seagal echoed these sentiments, emphasizing that the influx of rental units would not only strain local schools but also disrupt the family-oriented nature of the community. Seagal criticized the developer's focus on profit over the well-being of residents, arguing that the project contradicts Weston’s master plan for orderly growth.

Mac Vardana, another resident, criticized the lack of communication from city officials regarding the development, stating that many residents were unaware of the project until recently. He called for greater transparency and community involvement in decisions that could drastically affect their quality of life.

Jaime Barbosa and Steve Romero also shared their concerns, with Romero noting that the timing of the proposal's initial discussions during the COVID-19 pandemic may have hindered community engagement. He expressed a belief that had residents been fully informed, the response would have been overwhelmingly negative from the outset.

The meeting underscored a growing frustration among residents regarding the potential for large-scale developments to reshape their community without adequate consideration of local needs and values. As the city commission deliberates on the proposal, the voices of concerned residents continue to resonate, advocating for a development approach that prioritizes the interests of the community over commercial gain.