By Thane Grauel

WESTPORT — A plan to repurpose a historic structure on Post Road West for apartments is moving forward.

Richard Redniss of Redniss & Mead, a Stamford firm, has requested that the Planning and Zoning Commission adopt a text amendment that would allow 50 Post Road West, and a new, smaller structure behind it, to be used for the creation up to 12 apartments, some of them classified as “affordable.” 

Redniss met with the commission in February for a pre-application hearing. That’s a non-binding discussion where an applicant can get feedback before filing a formal application. The comments from commission members were generally supportive.

The text amendment request has not been placed on any commission meeting agenda yet, a Planning and Zoning staffer said Thursday. A staff report is planned so it’s not likely to be heard before October.

“The proposed Text Amendment seeks to preserve the historic structure, adaptive reuse and expansion of the buildings into a mix of 2- and 3-bedroom residential units,” a statement of purpose filed with the application reads. “The rear building will be demolished, and a new 4-unit residential building will be in its place.”

The main structure, a Greek Revival building with a steep front lawn, dates to between 1835 and 1845. It was the home of Capt. Frederick Sherwood.

The plan would add elements to the larger building, which sits about halfway down the Post Road West hill to downtown.

Sherwood’s family had their homestead on an island that is now part of Sherwood Island State Park. His wife was a Burr, another old-time Westport name.

The Post Road West house had two wings added, probably after 1880, according to a Historic Resources Inventory report from the town’s Historic District Commission in 2011.

It’s not the only affordable housing proposal in the neighborhood.

Catty-corner across Post Road West, between Cross and Lincoln streets, a 68-unit apartment complex is planned, 30 percent of them affordable. The project initially was turned down by the Planning and Zoning Commission, but the developer successfully appealed in court, and scaled down the size in an agreement with the town last year.

The main structure has been vacant and up for sale a decade.

The structure was “the home of Captain Frederick Sherwood, son of Daniel and Catherine Burr Sherwood,” reads the town’s historic inventory report. “Frederick was one of the triplets born in the Sherwood House on Sherwood Island. The house was landscaped with plants from China.”

“This is a prominent Greek Revival Temple form building on the Post Road West with a view of the Saugatuck River where Captain Sherwood could keep a watchful eye on his packet boat business located on the west bank of the river next to (south) of the Westport bridge.”

The report also mentions that, “In 1874 Frederick Sherwood was elected Foreman of the Vigilant Engine Company No. 3.”

Vigilant, at 6 Wilton Road, is a stone’s throw down the hill from the house.

Thane Grauel, executive editor, grew up in Westport and has been a journalist in Fairfield County and beyond more than three decades. Reach him at editor@westportjournal.com. Learn more about us here.