By Kerri Williams
WESTPORT–A plan to develop property at 125 Riverside Avenue that has many concerned it would jeopardize one of the town’s oldest homes was turned down unanimously by the Planning & Zoning Commission on Monday.
The vote came after several neighbors and RTM members spoke out against the plan by Architect Lucien Vita, of Vita Design Group, to add a new home, accessory dwelling unit and a pool to a .46-acre riverfront site.
“I don’t have the stomach to approve this,” Chairman Paul Lebowitz said before the vote.
Several neighbors spoke out against the application, citing concerns for flooding in the area as well as fill that would be brought onto the property. But the concern brought most often was that a 1756 saltbox at the location could be demolished.
“As our nation is nauseated by the destruction of the East Wing (of the White House) for a big monstrosity. Do we really want to knock down a 1756 dwelling to build a big house and a pool?” said Wendy Batteau, Dist. 8.
Vita has been attempting to develop the property since early in 2024, originally attempting to save the historic house with a text amendment that would have allowed properties with structures 100 years or older to be subdivided. That amendment was turned down by the commission in March of 2024. One of the reasons given was that the amendment would have applied to 171 properties in town.
While the fate of the historic house was not spelled out in the current application, Vita urged the commission to approve the application and then consider the historic house at another time.
“If we wrap this up tonight, we can have further discussions on the historic home,” he said, adding the design for the new house was “inspired by the current historic home on the lot.”
Wendy Van Wie, a member of The Historic District Commission, said that having a structure from 1756 still on the Saugatuck River is “remarkable.” She added that Vita might want to consider saving the structure by taking advantage of a new text amendment that has been proposed.
Maureen O’Driscoll, speaking on behalf of her mother Ann, who lives across the street from the property, talked about the history of the land across the street, which was preserved privately for many years. “It’s crucial to save the 1756 Coley house and not overdevelop it,” she said.
Also speaking out against the application was Charles Tirreno, who lives in the adjacent property. “There is still a demolition notice on the Coley house,” he said. “I don’t believe for a second it will be saved.”
Tirreno, echoing the concerns of others concerning trees on the property, said that a 200-year-old oak tree had already been cut down. During public comments, he asked commissioners for a moment of silence to honor the tree.
In their decision, commissioners stated other concerns about the project, with Amy Wistreich saying that the driveway backing up onto Riverside Avenue is a safety issue. Several commissioners and members of the public also stated concerns about the accessory dwelling unit in the plan, suggesting that sometimes they are built for uses other than those intended, such as a pool house.
Lebowitz said he sees the decision as “Not a no, but a try harder.”
“I for one would like a more robust conversation with all the voices for a better resolution,” he said. “I am deeply troubled by taking down a building that is begging to be saved.”
Recent Westport Journal articles about P&Z
- P&Z discusses new coastal regs, approves “Oops” application
- P&Z holds executive session regarding Montessori litigation
- This is getting “Old”–P&Z again continues subdivision app
- P&Z invites comments on plan to move affordable housing off-site
Kerri Williams
Kerri Williams is an award-winning writer and journalist. She has worked as a reporter at the Norwalk Hour, as Living editor at the Darien News-Review, and managing editor for the Norwalk Citizen-News. For Westport Journal, she is a reporter as well as a gardening columnist, writing “Cultivating with Kerri.” She recently published her first children’s book – “Mabel’s Big Move,” based on her daughter with special needs.
Hi Ann and Maureen…..
Ann Driscoll’s father in law built the house I have lived in with my family for the past 30 years . In fact, I am looking out the window at the house where he was born, a house that was the subject of a partial HDC demolition request last month. The HDC rejected that proposal. These houses, and many others, have all been preserved as part of the Gorham Avenue Historic District. The Driscoll family built this neighborhood, and we will make sure it remains a vibrant part of this town’s history.
Hello John,
Mom says hello! Thank you for your message to us in the comments. It is hard to believe you’ve been in the Main Street house for 30 years now! I think my Dad would be proud that we are wanting to save the Coley antique house. Westport has a rich history worth fighting for ❤️🙏🏻
Ann and Maureen