The owners of the historically-designated former Cross Highway Garage, which is Westport’s first filling station, are seeking alternative plans to preserve the property rather than selling it to a developer who potentially could demolish it.
113 Cross Highway: new variance sought. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow file photo by Dave Matlow
Kim and Michael Ronemus have filed a request for a modification to their recently granted zoning variance for 113 Cross Highway to develop one of the accessory buildings into an office. The Historic District Commission will meet today at 11:30 a.m. to review and discuss alternatives other than demolishing the various buildings on the property.
The Zoning Board of Appeals last month approved one variance to allow a home office in one of the accessory buildings, which was necessary because Westport zoning regulations do not allow offices in outbuildings. The ZBA, however, rejected two other variance requests that would have expanded the building and allowed a guest room in a separate accessory building (See WestportNow Feb. 28).
Planning and Zoning Director Laurence Bradley said the new plan calls for a new building adjacent to the building that would be the office with a breezeway connecting the two. If the ZBA does not grant the requested modification to the variance for the basement, which would house the mechanicals, then the couple would have to make application for a new variance, he said.
Kim Ronemus said the couple feels the plan is a creative way they could make the buildings work so they do not have to sell the property.
The couple has applied for demolition permits for the property as part of plans to potentially sell it (See WestportNow March 6).
“We don’t walk away without trying to save the property,” Ronemus said. “It’s a creative way where we can build something and have the bathroom. It’s worth giving one more shot.”
The news of the Ronemuses new plans comes after the Westport Planning and Zoning Commission decided to form a subcommittee to craft regulations to preserve historic properties (See WestportNow March 8).
Ronemus said the news of the subcommittee is encouraging and heartening.
“It makes what we’re going through worthwhile,” she said.
