The 1930-built house situated on 0.16 acres and located at 840 Post Road East, adjacent to the Sherwood Island Connector, is on the agenda of the Westport Historic District Commission tonight. Town officials are reviewing an anticipated request for a demolition permit and potential replacement of the house with a bank. This is the last house standing on the former crescent-shaped street known as Beverly Place. Prior to the construction of the Sherwood Island Connector, the street curved around to the current location of Walgreen’s. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

The 12-acre Kowalsky family farm in Westport’s Greens Farms section—known as Peaceful Valley Farm—is on the market for $16.2 million and the Town of Westport has expressed an interest in acquiring it.
Peaceful Valley Farm is for sale for $16.2 million. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

The mostly open property nestled among multimillion dollar residences went on the Multiple Listing Service last week. The offering said it was suitable for a “gentleman’s farm or possible subdivision.”

“All I can say at the moment is that we have been in contact with representatives of the family and have expressed an interest in possibly acquiring it,” said First Selectman Gordon Joseloff. “But it’s a steep price.”

Complete with wandering goats, farm buildings and a small man-made pond, the property is in the heart of Greens Farms at 109 Morningside Drive South and is bordered by Clapboard Hill Road and Turkey Hill Road South.

By Jennifer Connic

Westport Zoning Board of Appeals members said tonight they believe the owners of 113 Cross Highway are using the wrong method to gain approvals to preserve the structures on the property, site of the town’s first gas station.
113 Cross Highway before preservation work began. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow/WN file photo

Michael and Kim Ronemus are seeking variances to be able to use an old garage and barn as an office and guest house, which are not allowed under the zoning regulations in accessory buildings. The house was designated as historical by the Representative Town Meeting last December, which prevents its destruction (See WestportNow Dec. 5)

Peter Gelderman, who is representing the Ronemuses, said the historic nature of the property and trying to preserve it presents a hardship. A hardship is required in order for the board of appeals to grant a variance, or waiver from the town’s zoning regulations.

“They are trying to do something that otherwise would be allowed if they were not in accessory buildings,” he said. “It would be easier and cheaper for them to take them down and build an addition on the house or just tear it down and start over. They want to try to preserve the buildings.”

A demolition permit has been issued for the house at 5 Charmers Landing off Westport’s Saugatuck Avenue. Built in 1997, the 7,200-square foot house sits on 1.12 acres of a Long Island Sound subdivided property which changed hands in June 2006 for $8.5 million. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com