By Thane Grauel

WESTPORT — An open-air pavilion and storage shed for Kings Highway Elementary School received approvals from two agencies this week.

The Planning and Zoning Commission voted to endorse the use of town-owned land Monday. The next night the Zoning Board of Appeals granted a required variance for coverage.

The school district’s chief financial officer, Elio Longo, told the P&Z on Monday that it already had approved a similar open-air gazebo at Greens Farms Elementary School.

“Our objective is to continue to roll out open-air learning spaces at the remaining four elementary schools,” he said.

The request, from First Selectwoman Jennifer Tooker on behalf of the Board of Education, was made under the state’s 8-24 statute, which requires review of changes to municipally owned properties.

The 12,000-square-foot pavilion would have a 40-foot by 30-foot polyethylene cloth roof that would be taken down for the winter months. Also included in the request is a 48-square-foot storage shed.

The pavilion would be in a rear courtyard of the school at 125 Post Road West.

The pavilion would be used for outdoor lessons, meetings, gatherings and other activities.

P&Z Commission member Paul Lebowitz asked how the $55,000 price tag broke down between the overhead structure and the shed.

“We don’t tackle items from a dollar point of view, but I was interested only because I was trying to figure out which one was more expensive,” Lebowitz said.

Architect Phil Cerrone found the breakdown and said the overhead structure is approximately $38,000.”

“The storage shed is only approximately $2,000,” Cerrone said.

The rest of the money was for flooring, seating and other amenities, he said.

“The cost is interesting,” Lebowitz noted. “That photo that you provided of the shed, it’s interesting, it looked familiar and I couldn’t figure out why, then I realized, ‘Oh, yeah, I purchased that exact same one at Lowe’s for about $1,000.’”

“Anyway, I’ll let be the purview of the Board of Finance, and hopefully they’ll take a nice close look at it,” Lebowitz said.

Other commission members had no real concerns.

“I do like Paul’s comment about the cost of the shed, but like him I’ll let the Board of Finance figure it out,” said member Patrizia Zucaro.

It was then clarified that the exact price of the shed was $1,659.21.

“We’ve got 99 problems, one of them ain’t money on this commission,” Chairwoman Danielle Dobin noted.

“It’s a terrific idea to create some shade and some flexibility,” Dobin said of the overall request. “Maybe some of the Kings Highway teachers are going to use it to create some outdoor classroom opportunities, etc., in the good weather.”

The P&Z voted unanimously to give a positive recommendation on the 8-24 request Monday. A variance for coverage passed the ZBA unanimously Tuesday.

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.