By Thane Grauel

WESTPORT — The owners of a 19th Century barn on Turkey Hill Road North are seeking to rebuild it as an accessory dwelling unit.

A special permit and site plan application for the structure at No. 50 has been filed with the Planning and Zoning Commission.

The 1.1-acre property, at the corner of Long Lots Road, is across the street from St. Luke Church. It also has a house that was built in 1800.

“The existing 36-foot x 26-foot two story structure 19th century barn with basement is used as a two-car garage and workshop with storage in lofts above and storage of garden equipment in the basement,” a description of the plan by architect Deirdre O’Farrelly reads.

“The proposed structure restoration and renovation for an Accessory Dwelling Unit apartment would retain the existing heavy timber framing, add insulation, new sheathing and siding, windows and doors with new foundations added to reinforce the existing stone foundation walls,” she wrote.

“The proposed new wood-framed garage is a 36-foot x 25-foot, 1½-story structure with a lean-to utility shed for garbage and recycling bins to be built where a previous outbuilding stood as identified on a circa 1920s aerial view,” O’Farrelly continued. “The midpoint of the garage will be less than 16 feet above grade.”

The new garage would have three bays instead of two.

The town significantly loosened restrictions on accessory dwelling units in 2021, and since then, many property owners have repurposed outbuildings and other spaces for apartments.

Thane Grauel grew up in Westport and has been a journalist in Fairfield County and beyond for 36 years. Reach him at editor@westportjournal.com. Learn more about us here.