The number of demolition permits issued in 2004 in Westport jumped 43 percent—to 106 compared to 73 the year before, Building Department figures showed today. 
The owner of 4 Smoky Lane demolished a 1951 house last week after building this new home elsewhere on the 1-acre property. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
Local real estate agents said favorable interest rates plus the shortage of buildable land in the community accelerated the demolitions, which have been featured in WestportNow’s “teardown of the day” series since last October.
In 2002, there were 75 demolition permits issued.
The last demolition permit issued in 2004 was on Dec. 29 for 2 Lowlyn Road, which was featured as WestportNow’s teardown on Nov. 16.
A day before, the department issued a permit for demolition of a home at 4 Smoky Lane, off of Hillspoint Road. The 1951 home, featured by WestportNow Nov. 19, was taken down soon afterward. The owner, meanwhile, had built a new house elsewhere on the 1-acre lot and occupied it in October.
