P&Z Advances Plans for Van Driver Building on East Elm Street

The Van Driver building at 24 East Elm Street moved a step closer to behind developed into residential units.

According to Katie DeLuca, the director of Planning & Zoning for Greenwich said that the applicant had originally sought to develop the property for office space but were turned down because that was deemed too intense of a use.

On Tuesday night they went before the commission with a preliminary application to develop the rear of the property for residential units and retain the front of the building under a historic overlay.

The front of the building has been empty since Consigned Couture closed after its owner Dolly Ledingham passed away in October, 2016. (Dolly Ledingham, 52, Owner of Consigned Couture)

The applicant would maintain the historic structure in front. In fact, DeLuca said on WGCH 1490 on Wednesday morning that restriction would be in perpetuity.

“In exchange they would be able to add additional floor area into the rear of the building,” DeLuca said. “The commission thought that was a good proposal and moved it to final.”

DeLuca said the applicant does have a “laundry list” of items to accomplish before they return before the commission.