By James Lomuscio
Westport’s Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) tonight heard a request from the selectman for a positive 8-24 report to sell the historic, town-owned Emily McLaury House at 99 Myrtle Ave.
A plaque in front of the Emily McLaury House details its history. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
The P&Z took no action, keeping the matter open until its next meeting. P&Z Chairman Chip Stephens said he was awaiting input from the Historic District Commission (HDC).
Selectwoman Helen Garten made the request. She said selling the 1921-built house, which the town purchased in 1972 and renovated in 2007, made sense to get it back on the tax rolls and to trim the town’s maintenance costs.
The town had originally purchased the house on .7-acres with the intent of razing it to provide access to the Baldwin parking lot.
Following McLaury’s restoration, it was used for workforce housing and most recently as a rental property generating $1,500 a month for the town. In recent years, the house, which has no garage and sits on a sharp curve on Myrtle Avenue, received historic designation status.
“The town is good at many things, but I’m not sure it’s good at residential rentals,” Garten said, adding that the goal is “to sell it to a loving owner.”
On Wednesday, the Board of Selectmen unanimously approved a right-to-sell agreement between the town and Berkshire Hathaway New England Properties. That agreement is contingent upon the P&Z’s approval.
Berkshire Hathaway Realtor Darcy Sledge said that based on comparative sales of historic homes of its size and its location, the recommended market price would be $589,000.
“We want to price it, so that it gets interest right away,” Sledge said.
She added that that while the town would have a nine-month contract with Berkshire Hathaway, a quick sale is desired since “the town does not want to hold it for a long time.” Berkshire Hathaway is charging a 4 percent commission compared to typical 5 to 6 percent ones.
The Town of Westport has owned the Emily McLaury House since 1972. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
Garten said selling the house would be consistent with the town’s Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD) since it calls for the preservation of historic structures, as well as providing housing for seniors. The two-bedroom, 1,200-square-foot building, she said, would be perfect for empty nesters and singles, not families.
“Our goal is to sell it to someone who cherishes it,” said Sledge. “It is a little jewel.”
A good portion of the .7-acre property lies within the Baldwin lot.
“You’re not going to sell a portion of the parking lot?” P&Z Vice Chairman Jack Whittle asked.
“One of the things the town would have to do is to divide it before it is sold, but it can go to contract,” Planning and Zoning Director Laurence Bradley said.
“But it would not be coming back for a subdivision approval because it would be eligible for a first cut,” he added, noting the property predates subdivision regulations.
At Wednesday’s Board of Selectmen meeting, Sledge said the home would be sold on .2 acres.
Stephens’ major concern was that the house be preserved against possible demolition by a new owner.
“Have we talked about covenants that would be put on that?” he asked.
“I think it is possible to put covenants on the property that can go on the deed,” said Town Attorney Ira Bloom, “but that could affect marketability.”
Bloom added that such covenants would also be redundant since the house, designated as a local, historic property in 2005, would have to go to the HDC for a certificate of appropriateness. State statute stipulates that no demolition permit be issued without such a certificate of appropriateness, he said.
Speaking as a member of the public, former P&Z commissioner Eleanor Lowenstein, questioned the rush to sell the house “until you know what you are going to do with the Baldwin parking lot.” For a long time the lot has been eyed for the possibility of multi-level parking.
“The only other alternative is to turn it over to the Housing Authority or Homes With Hope,” she said.
Preservationist Morley Boyd, who worked on the house’s restoration, lauded the planned sale as a means to preserve history.
“I strongly support this sale,” he said. “It is the responsible thing to do.”
