By Ken Valenti

WESTPORT — Two local homeowners won permission to build additions, under variances granted last week by the Zoning Board of Appeals.

The owners of  3 Hickory Hill Road and 5 Clinton Terrace sought ZBA approval of variances because their properties currently do not conform with zoning regulations in several respects.

And even though the applicants said the planned work would bring each of the properties into closer compliance with the regulations, variances were required because they still won’t entirely conform with the code.

A third proposal, for an addition and entry stairway at 21 Norwalk Ave. that would exceed allowable lot coverage, was withdrawn by the applicant before the meeting. The Norwalk Avenue application was rescheduled for the ZBA’s Sept. 10 meeting.

The plan for 3 Hickory Hill Road entails construction of additions to a single-family residence on the existing foundation of the 1935 structure, which encroaches on the required setback from the front line. While the addition will be farther from the line than the existing structure — 22.4 feet rather than 20.9 feet — it will still be closer than the 30-foot minimum set by regulations.

Board member Jacqueline Masumian asked owner Steven Beck what assurance he could give the board the existing foundation could support the construction.

“We’ve met with the engineers and architects many times to assure us that this was a sound structure,” Beck said.

Board Chairman James Ezzes told him that if an unanticipated problem with the foundation arises during construction, he must report the problem to town planning and zoning officials, and workers must not take down more of the house than has been approved.

At 5 Clinton Terrace, removal of a deck larger than the planned addition will reduce the total lot coverage by 22 square feet to 2,664 square feet, according to the application by property owner Hedi Mandel.

That is still more than the maximum permitted. Also, the 1920 building is just two feet from the front lot line, where a 30-foot setback is required.

Both applications for variances required four “yes” votes from the board. Ezzes offered the owners the opportunity to return at the next meeting to have their applications voted on by the panel’s full membership of five members. 

Owners of both properties agreed to move forward with their applications at last Tuesday’s meeting, and their proposals each won 4-0 approval.

Ken Valenti is a freelance writer.