Government

‘Beautifully Executed’: Exterior Changes to Antique Colonial on God’s Acre Approved

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Saying the proposed exterior changes to an antique Colonial on God’s Acre will restore a ca. 1888 home to something more closely resembling the original structure, town officials on Thursday unanimously approved an application from the owners of 35 Main St. Historic District Commissioner Tom Nissley described the application from Joseph Riker and Susan Staudt—whose plans for the gabled home call for the softening of a boxy, non-integrated 1960s- and ’70s-era addition at the rear, as well as the re-introduction of original-style windows—as “very well prepared” and “beautifully executed.”

“I would like to comment on how good it looks,” Nissley said at the meeting, held at the New Canaan Historical Society. New Canaan’s historic district encompasses 21 buildings near and around God’s Acre, including the Riker and Staudt home at 35 Main. Before structures within the district undergo exterior changes, approval is required from the commission (see Town Code, Chapter 31-6).

Government

Encouragement from Historic District Officials on Exterior Work Planned for 1888 Colonial on God’s Acre

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The owners of a prominent, gabled 1888 Colonial on God’s Acre received preliminary support from town officials Thursday for plans to alter the exterior of their home in ways that will restore it to something more like the original antique structure. Though a full application to the Historic District Commission is still forthcoming, broad plans for 35 Main St. call for the softening of a rather boxy, non-integrated 1960s- and ‘70s-era addition to the rear of the home—including the re-introduction of original-style windows—while interior work is done on the kitchen. The commission’s acting chair, Janet Lindstrom, said during a prehearing at the New Canaan Historical Society that “it seems the things that are being done certainly make it much more authentic to its period.”

New Canaan’s historic district encompasses 21 buildings near and around God’s Acre, including Joseph Riker and Susan Staudt’s home at 35 Main. Before structures within the district undergo exterior changes, approval is required from the commission (see Town Code, Chapter 31-6).

Government

Fear of ‘Demolition by Neglect’ for Historic 1780 Home on God’s Acre, in Foreclosure

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Town officials say they’re concerned that if a long-vacant 1780 home on God’s Acre doesn’t get a tenant soon it could end up a demolition-by-neglect. If the antique, Greek Revival-style home at 4 Main St. comes down it “would be horrendous in the middle of our historic district,” Janet Lindstrom, acting chairman of the Historic District Commission said at the group’s most recent meeting. “That would be just terrible, and as one can see, it’s not being occupied,” she said at the Oct. 23 meeting, held in the Town House annex meeting room at the New Canaan Historical Society.

Around Town

New Sign to Spotlight Expansive Historical Society Campus

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A new sign soon will grace the front lawn of the New Canaan Historical Society, welcoming motorists and pedestrians traveling along Oenoke there at the top of God’s Acre, as the venerable organization marks its 125th birthday this year. To be set about four or five feet behind the stone wall, between a pair of maple trees fronting Oenoke Ridge Road, the sign will appear to stand at 4.5 feet from the street-side vantage point. Executive Director Janet Lindstrom said during Thursday’s meeting of the Historic District Commission that a sign had stood in that area several years ago and was not replaced after it was vandalized. The sign’s deliberate placement and purpose is to inform passersby that the Historical Society is not a single structure (The Town House beside St. Michael’s also has a sign next to the organization’s driveway) but several on a substantial campus.

News

Town to ‘Renew Old Tradition’ with ‘Welcome to New Canaan’ Signs

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First Selectman Rob Mallozzi says that for years, he has admired and appreciated the “Welcome” signs that often greet motorists pulling off of roads such as the Merritt Parkway and crossing from one municipality to another in Connecticut and elsewhere. “I thought to myself that New Canaan is the most welcoming community I know—why don’t we have one?” Mallozzi said. We may, soon enough. Town planning officials on Tuesday approved a proposal to install a DOT-approved, 4.5-foot-high “Welcome to New Canaan” sign at two entrances to the town (not far from the southbound off-ramps of Exits 37 and 38 on the Merritt). Tiger Mann, assistant director of the Department of Public Works, unveiled the signs at the Planning & Zoning Commission’s regular meeting, held in the Douglas Room at Lapham Community Center.