Subdivision Proposed at St Paul’s in Riverside Would Support Church’s Long-Term Financial Stability

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church on Riverside Avenue in Riverside is proposing to create two lots on their existing 8.65-acre property located in the R-20 zone.

Currently on the church property, in addition to the sanctuary, there are church offices, classrooms, playground and a memorial garden. The property has frontage on both Indian Head Road and Riverside Avenue, but all vehicular access is from Riverside Avenue for the parking lot and drop off loop.

Existing floor area for the church building is approximately 21,700 square feet.

Even with the creation of two lots and the open space parcel, the remaining 6 acres would permit 58,800 square feet on the site.

Initially, the church had explored creating 4 lots on the property and submitted plans for a 4-lot subdivision to be developed with new single family dwellings and driveways to the Inland Wetlands and Watercourses agency.

There are 4 wetland pockets located on the westerly side of the property.

Front of St Paul’s Episcopal Church. July 29, 2025 photo: Leslie Yag

After a hearing and discussions with the Wetlands Agency, the church revised the plan to include only 2 building lots with access from Indian Head Road.

Both lots would be located outside the 100-foot wetlands upland review area, alleviating the need for any wetland approval for the subdivision.

The open space parcel located in the southwest corner of the site and contains three of the four wetland pockets.

Lot A
Of the two proposed lots, Lot A will front on Indian Head Road and be 20,020 square feet.

Lot B
The second parcel, Lot B, would be a flag lot also off of Indian Head Road with a total lot area of 39,012 square feet. The additional area for the second lot is necessitated by the need for providing adequate stormwater retention on Lot B and provide the access drive.

The Memorial Garden columbarium will continue being located on the southerly portion of the church property and an access easement will be provided from the main church property to the Memorial Garden.

The open space parcel contains 1.2996 acres or 15% of the total property.

The application narrative says the proposed development would not impact any of the parking spaces on site or any of the current church programs or activities.

The church has entered into a memorandum of understanding with the Greenwich Land Trust and the Riverside Association to have those two nonprofit organizations participate in a joint purchase of the two lots being created.

It is hoped that such a purchase can occur for the benefit of the Riverside community. St. Paul’s does not take the step of creating these two lots lightly.

Church leadership and congregation are proceeding with this subdivision to ensure the long term financial stability of the church so it can continue its mission of providing service to the community.

In the Riverside Association’s summer newsletter, Riverside Tide, they write that the subdivision and sale of two lots would support the long-term financial stability of the Church and its 150-year-old Day School.

“The Riverside Association has signed a non-binding Letter of Intent with the Church and the Greenwich Land Trust to acquire and preserve those two lots as permanently protected open space. The initial fundraising goal is $5.2 million, with the final price based on an independent appraisal post-subdivision,” the association said in their newsletter. “Our focus remains on trying to preserve this land for the benefit of the Riverside community.”

Final subdivision to create two separate lots is requested.