Wildwood commission backs effort to preserve JP Connell House, asks staff to pursue incentives and protections

The Wildwood Historic Preservation Commission voted to endorse staff work to pursue incentives and protections aimed at saving the JP Connell House, a historic residence at the intersection of Manchester Road (Historic Route 66), St. Albans Road and State Route 100.

The endorsement came after Planning Department staff reported that a commercial developer identified in the meeting as JG Grewe said it holds the property under contract and wants to restore and reconfigure the parcel so the historic house sits on a much smaller lot while the larger remainder stays in agricultural use. The commission approved a motion to “acknowledge what we know at this stage” and to continue discussions; the motion passed by voice vote with no opposition recorded.

The preservation path staff outlined would start with a Historic Preservation Commission recommendation, then Planning and Zoning consideration and finally City Council action. Key steps include placing the JP Connell House on Wildwood’s local register and completing any rezoning and subdivision necessary to create a small parcel for the house and a separate…