A screenshot of the architectural rendering of a balcony proposed for the second floor of 33 Riverside Ave., overlooking the Saugatuck River. The town’s Architectural Review Board approved the application Tuesday evening.

By Thane Grauel

WESTPORT — The first application to add a balcony for a commercial property facing the Saugatuck River, under a rule change recently approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission, has been filed.

The text amendment, approved by the P&Z in November,  essentially allows balconies on non-residential structures in the Saugatuck business district, if they meet certain criteria.

The first such proposal came before the Architectural Review Board on Tuesday evening, an initial step in its review by town boards.

There were some questions from board members, and suggestions, but the 360-square-foot balcony proposed for the second floor of 33 Riverside Ave., overlooking the river, won a hearty endorsement.

The 36-foot-wide, 10-foot-deep balcony was requested by representatives of a CSC Sugar, an international refining business now based in New Canaan that is renovating the second floor of the building.

CSC Sugar, according to its website, provides fair trade, kosher, organic, sustainable and non-GMO sugar products. 

The balcony, according to architect Christina Corrie, would have a low-profile railing and glass panels, so as to not obstruct the view from other offices in the building. Materials would be color-matched to the main façade.

Board Chairman Ward French said after the presentation that he thought the application gives vindication to the text amendment and enhances the building.

“I support the application as submitted,” he said.

Member Georg Masumian agreed. “Well done,” he said.

Member David Mann said he thought color-matching was not so important, given that different materials were being used, for the sake of saving weight. 

“You may actually be better with something that complements, rather than matches, given the material change,” he said. “But other than that, I think it’s an elegant solution for a balcony on the building.”

The board voted 3-0 to approve the balcony.

Signs OK’d for new Hartford HealthCare location

Also approved unanimously was a request for several awnings and signs for a Hartford HealthCare building at the corner of Post Road East and Maple Avenue North.

The block-like building has in the past housed a men’s wear store, a cellphone shop and a hardware store.