By Linda Conner Lambeck

WESTPORT — The owner of a narrow strip of property at 29 North Ave. has won permission to rebuild a circa-1850 barn into an accessory dwelling unit.

With four members present, the Zoning Board of Appeals on Tuesday unanimously approved variances that will allow for slight expansion of the non-conforming structure on a particularly non-conforming lot.

No neighbors spoke about the application during the online meeting.

“I love the site design,” said ZBA member Amy Wistreich. “I think the barn is going to be fantastic. I love the whole design.”

The plan, which was praised by all members of the panel, still needs a special permit from the Planning and Zoning Commission, per the town’s Accessory Dwelling Unit rules.

Adopted in 2021 to create an opportunity for greater flexibility and affordability in housing options, accessory dwelling units are allowed in all zoning districts in town. They must be free-standing structures and the property owner must live in the principal dwelling on the site.

So far, five permits have been granted townwide for ADUs, according to Michelle Perillie, deputy planning and zoning director.

Annette Norton, owner of the North Avenue property, told the board that she grew up in town and now owns Savvy + Grace, a shop on Main Street. 

When Norton saw 29 North Ave. she was surprised the small 1776 farmhouse, with its low ceilings, was still standing. She became committed to saving what she called a tiny gem.

With the help of a contractor, Norton saved the house and also planned to restore the two-story, 480-square-foot barn at the north end of the narrow slit of land.

But the structure, with a sagging roof and weak framing, also has rot and bug damage, which all proved too challenging to save. Instead, the plan is to raze and rebuild the barn on the same footprint. Chestnut beams and other wood salvaged from the structure can be repurposed for the new dwelling, Norton hopes.

Cindy Tyminski, a land-use planner working with Norton, told the board that as a pre-existing, non-conforming structure, a variance would not be necessary if it were not for a new entryway that will be constructed beyond the existing footprint.

The plan also calls for two new patios, two air-conditioning units and a reconfigured driveway on the property.

Tyminski said that since the lot is 47 feet wide at its largest point, nothing could possibly comply with setback requirements.

ZBA Chairman Jim Ezzes called the application an unusual situation. When he went to inspect the property, Ezzes said he couldn’t help but peek into the windows of the little house. He also remembers when the neighborhood sported an apple orchard.

“It’s a beautiful design,” he said of the plans.

Board member Josh Newman said he appreciates that the driveway is being reconfigured to eliminate a blind spot.

Newman said he did not look inside when he visited, but hopes the accessory dwelling unit, when constructed, becomes an Airbnb rental so he can stay there for a night.

Perillie told him that would not be possible.

The Accessory Dwelling Unit regulations require a minimum six-month lease to prevent the units from being used as short-term vacation rentals.

Freelance writer Linda Conner Lambeck, a reporter for more than four decades at the Connecticut Post and other Hearst publications, is a member of the Education Writers Association.