Local Couple’s Dream Of A New Inn For Main Street Moves Closer To Reality

By Steve Bigham

John and Jane Vouros’ dream of building and owning an inn on Main Street in Newtown appears to be on the verge of becoming a reality.

Earlier this month, the longtime Newtown couple presented its proposal for the “Dana-Holcombe House” to the Borough’s Historic District Commission. The 8,000-square-foot building would be located at the former Yankee Drover lot at the corner of Main and West streets. The early-Colonial reproduction home would be a centerpiece in the Borough, featuring period details, 12-over-12 windows, cedar clapboard siding, and other qualities in keeping with the historic district. The streetscape will be similar to other homes along Main Street.

The Vouroses purchased the property 20 years ago, soon after the Yankee Drover restaurant burnt down. Since then, they have had plans to build either a restaurant or inn on the site. Mr Vouros has stated that he has already obtained the necessary land use approvals and, pending final approval by the historic district commission, construction could begin as soon as November.

“He is already nonconforming. He got an approval years ago for the reestablishment of an inn at that location,” explained Borough zoning enforcement officer Jean St Jean this week. “Originally, he was approved for a building the original size of the Yankee Drove – 15,200-square feet.”

The proposed building would serve as both a bed and breakfast and the Vouros residence. It would feature nearly a dozen bedrooms, a large kitchen and dining room, tap room, parlor, library, etc. There would also be some retail space available toward the rear of the building.

Town Historian Dan Cruson, a consultant to the historic district commission, has indicated that the building is in compliance with the historic district’s guidelines.

The commission, chaired by Stephanie Gaston, is scheduled to continue its discussions with the Vouroses, along with contractor Kim Danziger, on November 20. The board is expected to approve the application at that meeting, pending the completion of a final site plan.

Mr Danziger had planned to purchase the property from the Vouroses earlier this summer and was seeking to build two homes there. The Vouroses, however, made a last minute decision to forego selling the property and move ahead with their plans to build the inn instead.

The Vouroses also plan to take down the existing barn on the property and will build a carriage house.

The front of the inn would be 80 feet across with an approximate height of 40 feet, similar to the Cyrenius H. Booth Library and the Inn at Newtown.

This is the first application that the historic district has received for new construction in the district. The commission requires that no building be constructed, altered, restored, moved, or demolished within the district until an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness (as to exterior architectural features) has been filed and approved. Architectural features include siding, roofing, masonry, out-buildings, outdoor lighting fixtures, pools, decks, windows, doors, window shutter, etc.

A building permit for the construction of a building or structure can not be issued until a Certificate of Appropriateness has been issued.

 The Main Street area became an official historic district in 1996.