By Thane Grauel

WESTPORT — The Zoning Board of Appeals has granted variances that would allow the reconstruction of the PAL clubhouse at the P.J. Romano Field.

The plan to demolish the old clubhouse needed variances for coverage and height.

Last month, the Historic District Commission waived the 180-day waiting period for demolition of the building.

The new building will be two stories and have a saltbox style.

“Not the most attractive building,” Peter Romano of Landtech told the board, “but a whole bunch of wonderful things come out of the building behind what is now Saugatuck School and behind Kings Highway.”

He said the new clubhouse would be surrounded by pervious bricks that might be sold as a fundraiser.

“This is all privately funded,” Romano said.

The plan also has received other approvals, including that of the Architectural Review Board.

Next, Romano said, it will go to P&Z for a Coastal Area Management site plan approval.

“The building right now is just one story, it’s about 14 feet tall,” he said. “We’re going to be two stories, with a basement now, which is very nice.”

In the past, Romano said, all the athletic equipment was sent elsewhere for storage. The new space would allow it to be kept on site.

“It’s a long-needed facility,” he said.

The board had a few questions.

“I think there’s a missed opportunity here to have an elevator instead of one of the staircases,” said member Josh Newman. “For both being able to move equipment easily across the different floors for storage, but more importantly from an ADA standpoint, for anyone with physical limitations it would make it accessible …”

Romano said they “absolutely” considered that.

“It may be a very poor excuse, but it adds about $400,000 for an elevator to go to two floors,” he said.

He said the second floor was designed at a size that did not require an elevator. 

The commission’s vote was unanimous.

Thane Grauel grew up in Westport and has been a journalist in Fairfield County and beyond for 36 years. Reach him at editor@westportjournal.com. Learn more about us here.