By Thane Grauel

WESTPORT — A plan to raise a Saugatuck Shores house above flood levels and build an addition recently received Flood and Erosion Control Board approval and might soon be discussed by the Zoning Board of Appeals.

The application by Heidi Schoeneck and Phil White of 24 Canal Road would bring their home into Federal Emergency Management Agency compliance, they said in a letter to the ZBA. I also would make it safer for them and their belongings.

Their plan has the support of several neighbors, who also are subject to flooding.

But it is opposed someone living across the canal.

The property has frontage on Canal Road and is bordered on the other three sides by marsh. Canal Road often floods during storms and astronomical high tides.

No. 24 appears to be at a lower elevation than many neighbors.

“Our biggest desire is for safety — a safer home for its residents, our personal property and cars and for the natural environment that surrounds us,” the pair wrote to the ZBA.

“In the past seven years the tides have been steadily rising and we have encountered flooding several times a year that pushes 2-4 feet of water throughout the ground floor of our home,” they continued. “We have lost two vehicles and numerous personal possessions due to the flooding. And there are days where we have found ourselves trapped in our home without a safe way to enter or exit without traversing standing water …”

“We believe our situation to be very unique,” they wrote. “We have a very small, narrow, nonconforming lot that has rear setbacks on three sides and a street directly on the fourth. We are surrounded by marsh and sit in a flood zone …”

The application is not yet on an upcoming ZBA agenda, but many town agencies have recently submitted input, as well as neighbors.

Here are neighbors’ comments submitted so far:

• “My family and I live across the marsh from 24 Canal Road and have reviewed their plans to lift their home as well as the proposed addition to the site,” wrote Sean Cross of Marsh Road.

“I think it is a good solution to respond to the rising tides we experience in the area,” Cross wrote. “It is not only an aesthetically appealing solution, but will help protect the marsh and its residences. They have our full support.”

• “We’ve rented on Canal Road for about five years and have witnessed the rising tides and water issues first hand,” wrote Adam Meshekow and Emily Picardi of Canal Road.

“We have seen the White Family struggle with their home and garage’s frequent flooding,” they said. “They have shared their plans with us and we feel this is a wise solution to the flooding, environmental and safety issues the White’s often encounter. We are supportive of the project.”

• “As a resident directly across the canal from the subject property, I am vehemently opposed to the egregious building of the proposed addition of a garage, office, extra bedroom and bathroom at 24 Canal Road,” wrote Jeff Manchester of Spriteview Avenue.

• “Naomi and I are in full support of your plan to upgrade your home …” wrote Ben Ciferri and Naomi Cruz of Canal Road.

“We’ve often wondered how you and Phil manage when the road floods, which seems to be happening more frequently,” they continued. “Especially your entryway, which is underwater when Canal Road floods.

Thane Grauel grew up in Westport and has been a journalist in Fairfield County and beyond for 35 years. Reach him at editor@westportjournal.com. Learn more about us here.