By James Lomuscio

Westport’s Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) tonight voted 6 to 0 with 1 abstention to give a positive report on a planned Elm Street land swap that would net the town nine additional parking spaces downtown.

This building housing the Villa Del Sol Restaurant at 35 Elm St. would be razed and swapped for part of the town-owned parking lot across the street. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

The positive report is the first step allowing developer David Waldman to put up a $7 million building on a piece of the town’s Baldwin Parking Lot at 36 Elm St. in exchange for property he has an option to buy at 35 Elm St. across the street.

Waldman, principal of David Adam Realty who is heading the nearby Bedford Square Pproject, also owns the historic Kemper Gunn House relocated to the town lot three years ago.

Frist Selectman Jim Marpe has been supporting the land swap and two weeks ago requested a positive P&Z endorsement. Marpe has been bullish on the plan since the town would gain nine parking space in the parking-stressed downtown.

Home furnishings retailer Pier 1 Imports Inc. at Westport’s 1460 Post Road East will close at the end of October, according to a store employee. Signage at the entrance advertises discounts on inventory and reminds customers of other nearby Pier 1 stores in Fairfield, Norwalk and Danbury. Pier 1 Imports has been in Westport since 1974, first at 645 Post Road East. In the following years its locations included 950 Post Road East, now Men’s Wearhouse. The company announced in April 2015 it planned to close about 100 stores over the next three years, primarily through natural lease expirations and relocations. This, it said, is part of efforts to drive growth through its online platform, reduce occupancy and payroll costs, and improve efficiency. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

A property at 1620 Post Road East, which houses Pane e Bene Italian restaurant, Stanton Miles power vacuum and home decorations store, Innovation Luggage, and Redi-Cut Carpeting, is for sale but has not been sold, according to its owner.

The property at 1620 Post Road East is on the market, according to its owner. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

In a Sept. 15 WestportNow Comings & Goings story about Stanton Miles moving, store co-owner Dave Kernstock was incorrectly quoted as saying “the building was recently purchased.”

What he actually said was “the building is being sold,” a fact confirmed by property owner Ernest Breiner, 91, of Fairfield, who says he has owned the property with his late brother since 1948.

Meanwhile, Angelo Capponi, co-owner of neighboring Pane e Bene said he had received “many calls and e-mails from the restaurant’s loyal clientele” expressing disappointment that it was leaving the site, which the WestportNow story did not state.

By James Lomuscio

Westport’s Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) tonight heard developer David Waldman’s proposed land swap on Elm Street—one that would allow him to put up a $7 million building on a piece of the town’s Baldwin Parking Lot in exchange for land across the street, netting the town nine additional parking spaces.

The property at 36 Elm St. would be turned into a parking lot to be swapped for town-owned land in the Baldwin lot across the street. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

Waldman, principal of David Adam Realty who is heading the nearby Bedford Square Pproject, also owns the historic Kemper Gunn House relocated to the town lot three years ago.

With Frist Selectman Jim Marpe supporting the land swap and requesting a positive P&Z endorsement, Waldman and his architect Rick Hoag detailed the plan. The P&Z took no action, but closed the hearing to later vote on the matter.

The proposal includes Waldman buying the Villa Del Sol building and property totaling .15449 acres at 36 Elm St., on which he has an option, for $6 million, including buying out the restaurant’s lease. He then plans to raze the building, making the area it into a parking lot.