Westport officials on Thursday unanimously voted to recommend going forward with a new elementary school project and the relocation of a beloved community garden.

The Long Lots School Building Committee recommended a proposal for a new elementary school that would move the garden, which would be replaced by a baseball field.

“It’s not rocket science, you can have the fields and you can have the gardens at the same time, without ruining the gardens," said Westport's Sal Liccione.

The project has been a huge point of contention for the community after more than 20 meetings and two years of planning. Public concerns over that period included the cost, storm water and impacts of construction on student learning. The garden has been at the forefront.

“To think that a ballfield is completely interchangeable with a 25-year site is ridiculous," said Westport resident Andrew Gentile.

“The garden is still there right now, it’s fully functioning, and we hope it will be there for many, many years," added Westport's Janine Scotti.

Four of the six proposals presented involve moving the garden, which lays on Long Lot Elementary School grounds. About 120 families regularly use the garden, which has been has become a staple for residents over the last 20 years.

Even with the unanimous vote, the Long Lots School Building Committee recommendation is not a final decision. The town still must formally approve the $100 million project.

The project would take just over two years to complete.