New Canaan To Pursue Eminent Domain To Acquire Historic House

NEW CANAAN, CT — New Canaan First Selectman Kevin Moynihan has made a request to the town's Planning and Zoning for a recommendation that the town pursue eminent domain to acquire the historic house at 1124 Valley Road in New Canaan, Moynihan announced Wednesday.

The property is owned by the First Taxing District in Norwalk, and the district and town have not been able to reach an agreement on a purchase price. Earlier this fall, the district rejected the town's $250,000 offer for the home and its .83 acre parcel; the district had sought $900,000.

"The New Canaan Preservation Alliance and the New Canaan Historical Society have urged the Town to preserve and protect the historic structure, and the New Canaan Land Trust has urged the Town to acquire and preserve the property because it is adjacent to the 10.3 acre Browne Wildlife Sanctuary owned by the Land Trust," Moynihan's request to the P&Z states. "I believe the acquisition of this property would be consistent with the Plan of Conservation and Development, which supports historic preservation and open space."

Should the P&Z approve the request, under the state's 8-24 statutes, the town would have to obtain another appraisal before launching into the eminent domain process.

But once that begins, the town could potentially own the property within a few months. The taxing district could also decide to challenge it in court.

"They don't need the property, and they disrespected the house for years," said Moynihan during a press briefing Wednesday. "There are a lot of people and town officials in New Canaan who want to preserve it and the neighborhood."

Photo of 1124 Valley Road in New Canaan via Google Maps

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