By Gretchen Webster

WESTPORT — A months-long struggle over the future of the house at 125 Riverside Ave. hit another milestone Tuesday when the Historic District Commission voted not to permit demolition of the house — built in 1756 — for at least another six months.

During the demolition-delay period, HDC members want the Planning and Zoning Commission to reconsider an amendment to zoning regulations that would allow the 0.42-acre property to be subdivided to allow construction of a second house on the site, which has been rejected by the P&Z.

“I want this house saved. I’m disappointed in our Planning and Zoning Commission,” said HDC Chair Grayson Braun. Nevertheless, she voted against delaying demolition because she said developer Lucien Vita of Vita Design Group had worked hard, without success, to save the historic house. The owner of the house listed on the town Assessor land records is the estate of Nancy Richmond Coley.

“I’m going to pursue a conversation with P&Z,” Braun said.

If the lot could be split into two parcels — one with a main three-bedroom house and the other with a small one-bedroom accessory building — it would be financially feasible to sell the properties separately, Vita said. Otherwise, the historic house will be destroyed and a new, larger house will be built there.

The proposed amendment would have allowed subdivision of properties with historic houses at least 100 years old. But it was rejected by the P&Z because 171 properties in town could come under the amendment’s purview, setting a precedent.

But that problem could easily be solved by making the amendment apply to many fewer houses, HDC member Wendy Van Wie said. 

“My takeaway from the P&Z is that the commission was afraid it would apply to many properties in unforeseen ways,” she said. “We need to come in with something that is more limited.” 

She suggested the amendment apply to houses built before 1840, or even earlier, so that it would apply only to the Riverside Avenue house.

“Let’s not give it up,” she said. “That house was built during the 13 colonies. … That house is worth fighting for.”

Vita said that subdividing the lot would be a way to preserve the property, but that since the P&Z rejected the proposed amendment, plans are underway to demolish and rebuild. But if there is some way to save the house and make preserving the historic saltbox financially feasible, that option may still be considered, he said. “We’re still open to those discussions.” 

Several HDC members said they understood there are not a lot of options for the property, but indictated they could not in good conscience agree to a waiver allowing the 268-year-old house to be demolished immediately.

“It’s heartbreaking,” said commission member Art Hayes.

All the commission members voted to reject Vita’s request to allow the demolition to go forward, except for Braun. The commission-imposed delay on demolishing the house expires in 180 days.

Wrecking ball delayed on Evergreen Parkway

The commission also voted Tuesday to delay for 180 days issuing a demolition permit for a house at 35 Evergreen Parkway. 

The house, owned by Judith Marks, is listed on the town’s Historic Resources Inventory as a Colonial Revival built in 1935.

The house has unusual features and is worth preserving, HDC members said. 

Several commission members agreed with Toni Simonetti, a neighbor, who said the character of the neighborhood is being lost as original homes are demolished and new ones built.

The commission voted to require the 180-day delay before a demolition permit can be issued for the Evergreen Parkway house.

Demolition OK’d for Bauer Place home

A house at 10 Bauer Place considered for demolition will be taken down, although the HDC vote on whether to maintain a 180-day delay was close.

Smaller homes are fast disappearing in Westport, said commission member Martha Eidman, and steps should be taken to preserve them. “I am opposed to the demolition. I think that more creative things can be done to smaller homes,” she said.

Bauer Place was once a street with Cape-style houses, but many have been razed and replaced with new, much larger homes, she added. 

Jaclyn Noble, of 8 Bauer Place, told the commission the street has become a construction zone as houses have been torn down and rebuilt, causing the street’s special character to disappear. “The street has become nondescript, with every house the same as the other one,” Noble said.

Braun offered to meet with Noble to discuss ways the remaining houses on the street could possibly be preserved. Noble accepted the offer.

Eidman and commission member Bill Ryan voted to stall the home’s demolition, but three other commissioners voted to allow builder Robert Haroun to demolish the home without delay. 

Freelance writer Gretchen Webster, a Fairfield County journalist for many years, was editor of the Fairfield Minuteman and has taught journalism at New York and Southern Connecticut State universities.