The house at 36 Otter Trail off of Westport’s Imperial Avenue has been demolished. Built in 1946, the one-story ranch had 1,738 square feet and was located on a .28-acre waterfront lot. It was the WestportNow Teardown of the Day on Feb. 14, 2008. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

The house at 6 Tamarac Road, off of Westport’s Compo Road North, was demolished today. Built in 1959, the 1.25-story, 1,387-square-foot Cape was situated on a .35-acre lot and changed ownership in May for $800,000. It was the WestportNow Teardown of the Day on June 6, 2008. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

The agenda for tonight’s Historic District Commission’s meeting includes a discussion on design guidelines for the structures on the property of the 1868-built house at 24 Ludlow Road adjacent to the Kings Highway North Historic District. The main house on the property was the WestportNow Teardown of the Day on May 4, 2007, and then purchased in November 2007 by the Beit Chaverim Synagogue for $1.4 million. According to an Historic District Commission official, the discussion at tonight’s meeting will focus on “design guidelines that would enhance and blend with the streetscape of the historic neighborhood.” A spokesman for the new owners said plans called for the 2,956-square foot home and on 1.19 acres to be restored in a manner that is consistent with its current “Italian farmhouse” style.  (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

An application for a permit is in process to demolish the house at 14 Brooklawn Drive off of Westport’s Easton Road. Built in 1953, the one-story ranch (r) has 2,130 square feet and sits on a one-acre property. The property owners constructed a replacement house on the same property.  Because the original house was built more than 50 years ago, the demolition application is being reviewed by the Historic District Commission at its meeting next week. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

An application is in process to demolish the house at 9 Caccamo Lane Extension off Westport’s Gorham Avenue.  Built in 1963, the one-story raised ranch is 1,556 square feet in size and is situated on a 0.53 acre lot. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Westport’s Representative Town Meeting (RTM) tonight approved an ordinance which would allow a 180-day delay on demolition of homes deemed to have historic value.

Proponents hailed the measure as helping to preserve Westport’s character while a few RTM members voiced concerns that a six-month delay could impose a hardship on a homeowner anxious to sell.

Maggie Feczko, chair of the Westport Historic District Commission, said it was urgent to pass the ordinance because she said Westport has more teardowns per capita than any other community in Connecticut.

She said the commission maintains an inventory of historic homes and while admittedly incomplete, it does provide guidance to residents seeking information about whether their property is historic.

An application is in process for a permit to demolish the house at 31 Webb Road off Westport’s Whitney Street. Built in 1952, the one and one-half story Cape Cod is 2,578 square feet and is situated on a 0.9 acre lot on a cul-de-sac. Because it was built more than 50 years ago, the application will be reviewed by the Historic District Commission at its meeting next week. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

The house located at 15 Manitou Road, off Compo Road South, was demolished today.  Built in 1954, the one-story ranch was 1,785 square feet in size, situated on a one-acre property and changed ownership in May 2008 for $1.25 million. It was the WestportNow Teardown of the Day on April 3, 2008. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com