UPDATE: This article has been updated to reflect that there will be opportunity for public comment on the Tuesday Zoom P&Z pre-application for the luxury assisted living facility.
Tuesday’s Planning & Zoning meeting has an interesting pre-application on the agenda.
Renamba Greenwich LLC, owner of a 2.5344 acre parcel of land at the
end of Old Track Road seeks a new zone: “Assisted Living Facility Overlay Zone.”
Renamba, a private, for-profit developer, seeks to amend the town’s building code to incorporate a new “Assisted Living Facility” (ALF) regulation so they can develop property on Old Track Rd beyond McDermott Paint and J Lofts.
They say the location is ideal because it would not conflict with established residential development and would still be close to central Greenwich community services such as transportation and shopping.
The property is in the GB zone.
Previously, the site was owned by RD&D Land Development and used as a yard for its local excavating business. It has a small office building, shed and storage containers and piles.
The applicant purchased the site in 2019. (0 Old Track Rd from R.D.&D. Land Development Inc to Renamba Greenwich LLC on Sept 6, 2019 for $11,650,000)
The idea of a pre-application is relatively new and the commission has only entertained a few previously: Greenwich Hospital’s proposed 80,000 sq ft Smilow Cancer Center which didn’t move forward given the pandemic interrupted the hospital’s plans, and the GHS stadium, which has moved forward. Also the scenic loop around Binney Park started as a pre-application.
The pre-application is non binding. It is a discussion to elicit guidance from P&Z.
Top priority of occupancy at the facility would be given to Town of Greenwich residents, second to the spouse of an occupant from Greenwich, third to an occupant who survives a spouse, and lastly to an occupant whose spouse has entered into a long term continuing care facility and other persons employed in the Town of Greenwich.
The 2019 POCD includes language about ‘aging in place,’ and specifies that a prime objective is to “facilitate housing options that encourage seniors to stay in Greenwich” and promote age-friendly housing options in or near commercial areas…[with] lifestyle amenities and elevators, and that are close to restaurants and other amenities…; and b. Create regulations specific to assisted living facilities…”
The facility would include 100 one-bedroom assisted living units plus 30 studio memory care units.
‘The entire community is supported by a wide variety of dining and amenity spaces appropriate for a luxury senior living community,” wrote the applicant’s attorney Bruce Cohen in a letter to P&Z director Katie DeLuca in March.
Communal spaces include a lobby, main dining room, gallery, informal bistro, multipurpose room library, card room and wellness center. There would be a secure entrance to the memory care wing that wraps around an interior courtyard. Upstairs the apartments have amenities including wellness suites on each floor.
The applicant anticipates the ALF to generate “very small traffic” and have little adverse impact on the neighborhood. Most required parking would be underground.
The applicant seeks guidance from P&Z on whether the facility would be consistent with the town’s objectives and whether the commission supports the incentives for the developer.
Incentives?
Yes, the proposed regulation says FAR for the living units would be .9 FAR, or a max of 1.15 FAR when common spaces are included.
The GB zone normally has a .5 FAR.
The building would be four stories, 47-1/2 ft high.
Currently, regulations allow for two types of facilities: the RPHD-E zone for independent elderly who need require minimal assistance, and Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC), which allows for full on-site nursing and medical services.
The applicant says that assisted living meets the needs of those who fall between these two extremes.
“Assisted living provides a popular residential option for older
adults who have supportive care needs due to physical or cognitive limitations and who cannot live independently, but who also do not require round-the-clock medical care,” said attorney Cohen in his March letter.
The proposed facility would look similar to the developer’s other facility, The Ambassador at Scarsdale.
The July 14 meeting starts at 5:00pm on Zoom.
The Renamba pre-application is the second item on the agenda (following the decision item for 21 Calhoun).
Click here for full July 14 agenda.
Please use the link below to view, listen, and/or participate in this meeting: https://greenwichct.zoom.us/j/91490207380?pwd=eFUrdjhOdlhRUUVzU3Y2dlVnbHZTQT09Password: 0518864
Or you may listen, and/or participate in this meeting by calling the following:
By Telephone: +1 (646)518-9805
Webinar ID: 914 9020 7380
Password: 0518864
