By Thane Grauel

WESTPORT — A century old house overlooking Compo Beach will soon be razed to make way for a new one.

The Historic District Commission has voted to waive a 180-day demolition delay for 23 Soundview Drive.

A redesign of the house won Zoning Board of Appeals approval in January. One factor that appeared to sway that board, which had denied a previous plan, was the new owner’s efforts to preserve neighbors’ views of the water.

The application was submitted by Peter Romano of LandTech. The house is owned by Lola’s Beach Shack LLC. Architectural plans from Tanner White Architects are titled “New Single Family Home Hirani Residence.”

Sunil Hirani was at Tuesday’s online meeting.

The old house, parts of which date to 1909, will be replaced by a larger structure, but with a slightly smaller footprint.

Romano said the original structure has had several additions over the years.

“He went from the villain at 19 Soundview, to the hero at 19 Soundview when he renovated that really cute beach house,” Romano said of Hirani.

“And he got a preservation award,” Chairwoman Grayson Braun mentioned.

“The new house is bumped back a little bit” on the two-lot parcel, Romano said. “The new house is no closer to Soundview.”

“It’s a pretty nice-looking house, it surely lends itself to the shoreline,” Romano said. “Not too dissimilar to what was there. We think it’s in keeping with the character of the neighborhood.”

He noted the neighbors’ support at the Zoning Board of Appeals.

“People behind us, to the sides of us, all came out in support of the project because he was respectful of the views of some of the other people,” Romano said.

“In order to make this new house fit in the same footprint on the property, we’re proposing demolition of the existing dwelling, bringing it into full FEMA compliance, and for that, we’re asking your permission to demolish the house,” he said.

“The existing house has been expanded so many times and has been renovated so many times, my sense is that there’s not really much of the original house there, so I don’t have any objections,” said commission member Scott Springer.

There were a couple of questions, but no objections from other members. No one from the public spoke.

The commission voted unanimously to waive the demolition delay.

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.