Greenwich Free Press (https://greenwichfreepress.com/tag/8-30g/)
The developer, the plaintiff in a lawsuit against the Town of Greenwich, owns six parcels of land on Mason Street including the former Honda dealership, with its history of car dealers including Studebaker and Pontiac. They paid a total of $21 million for all the parcels, and given the history of use, all acknowledged that remediation would be necessary. Continue Reading →
“We all agree that Connecticut needs more housing, and I very much appreciate the efforts of our Governor and colleagues in the House to reach out to and work with mayors, first selectmen from both sizes of the aisle, CCM and the COGs to eliminate the most conflicting parts of the bill. However I believe that the new bill requires input from the public. We can not build public trust by sidelining the public. – Hector Arzeno, (D-151) Continue Reading →
P&Z chair Margarita Alban noted a new state law that became effective in 2024 allows conversion of nursing homes to residential with a quick review, and suggested the applicant consider that route. Continue Reading →
After rejecting a 70-unit proposal with 12 affordable units in 2017, the Greenwich Planning & Zoning commission approved Joe Tranfo’s 120-unit 6-story building in May 2024. The development will feature two structures separated by a driveway, a total of 120 units and 180 parking spaces. Submitted under the state’s 8-30g statute, a whopping 40% of the units will be affordable, far more than required in an 8-30g. Continue Reading →
Despite the P&Z commission having approved the residential redevelopment at the former Honda site, the applicant, Mason Street Partners, with Josh Caspi as principal, wants the court to invalidate the approval and what it says are “invalid” conditions under 8-30g. Continue Reading →
Modifications include no commercial uses, except those pre-existing at 405 Greenwich Avenue. Also, below market condos must be sized at 90% of market rate condos. Continue Reading →
P&Z commission chair Alban and attorney Tim Hollister disagreed on whether 8-30g can include retail.
Ms Alban said the history of the site was car dealership.
“You have not had retail, unless you consider a car dealership retail, which we don’t.”
“Car dealerships have a retail component. You can buy your antifreeze there,” Hollister said.
“The use isn’t classified by most towns as a retail use,” Alban said. Continue Reading →
Commissioner Nick Macri referred to a proposed “socioeconomic bifurcation” as “a return to days gone by.” Continue Reading →
Commissioner Dennis Yeskey shared concern about having two buildings – one with mostly the affordable units and one with mostly luxury condos. He said that posed an issue of equity for residents. Continue Reading →
The commission said they were unsure that existing legal non-conformities would carry over to a new development because while non-conformities travel with a property, when 9 properties are merged, the legal non-conformities might cease to exist. There were also concerns about the optics of developing affordable housing on a contaminated site. Continue Reading →