P&Z to Decide Future of Corbo’s Building. New Building with New Restaurant Proposed

Current Corbo’s location at 59 East Putnam Ave. The owners are applying to replace the building with a larger building, and operate a new restaurant. Credit: Leslie Yager

On Tuesday night, the Planning & Zoning Commission will entertain an application for a final site plan and special permit to demolish the building where Corbo’s has operated and construct a new mixed-use building, parking lot and drainage improvements at the adjacent addresses of 63 and 65 East Putnam Ave.

The applicant, Young Pioneers LLC – Chun’s Greenwich LLC, propose to use of the new 6,700 sq ft two-story brick building on a .38 acre property for a combination of restaurant and “retail food establishment,” which is the category that includes delicatessens. The proposed split will be similar to that of Corbo’s, with 16 seats inside and 10 seats outside.

Back of existing building at 59 East Putnam Ave and parking lot in Cos Cob. The rear parking lot has an exit onto Salem Street. Credit: Leslie Yager

The existing building, with the empty nail salon on the side, has a parking lot that leaves a lot to be desired. The applicant proposes to redo the parking lot and configure it better.They are also prepared to install a proper sidewalk in front of the property.

There may be some opportunity to extend the new sidewalk to the west in front of Tomatillo and Cos Cob Farms, where right now there is a safety issue with cars often parked across the sidewalk area. The building to the west is the Cos Cobber restaurant, at the corner of East Putnam Ave and Salem Street.

At Monday’s P&Z staff meeting the commissioners agreed the building is an eyesore, as it is not maintained and there is a problem with garbage in the parking lot.