By Thane Grauel

WESTPORT — A plan to combine two properties at Owenoke Park totaling $6.2 million to make way for one larger house, a pool, patios, spa and an accessory dwelling unit, gained Planning and Zoning Commission approval Monday night.

The teardowns more than double the jaw-dropping teardown of 2 Owenoke Park last year. That handsome house was not very old, but sold for $3 million to enable construction of a newer house elevated to federal flood-zone standards.

The new house at 34 Owenoke also will be FEMA-compliant, and much larger than its predecessors at 6,600 square feet. It combines its lot with a $4.4 million house built in 2016 with a $1.8 million lot at 32 Owenoke, which had a 1968 Colonial (already demolished).

Owenoke Park is a subdivision created in the middle part of the last century, on a peninsula across Gray’s Creek from Longshore Park and adjacent to the Compo Beach neighborhood and the Ned Dimes Marina.

The 34 Owenoke application needed Coastal Area Management site plan approval from the P&Z. It was discussed and passed unanimously Monday night.

The property owners, according to town land records, are Adam and Melanie D. Smith.

A Planning and Zoning Department staff report by Planner Amanda Trianovich stated the application met zoning requirements, and had all the proper documents and required previous approvals.

The Conservation Commission reviewed the plan in December and granted a waterway protection permit. The town’s Flood and Erosion Control board also cleared the plan in December.

“If they have a room, I’ll move in with the family,” P&Z member Amie Tesler kidded. “I don’t think they would notice, the size of that house. It’s amazing.”

“You’re going to have to get in line Amie,” member Paul Lebowitz said.

P&Z Chairwoman Danielle Dobin was pleased the commission heard two applications that night with accessory dwelling units, which were not allowed until recently.

“It’s very exciting to see ADUs being adopted in Westport,” she said.

Thane Grauel, executive editor, grew up in Westport and has been a journalist in Fairfield County and beyond more than three decades. Reach him at editor@westportjournal.com. Learn more about us here.