Margarita Alban

Recent Posts

Maple Avenue Neighbors Versus Greenwich Academy: The Battle Has Just Begun

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At Tuesday’s P&Z meeting  Greenwich Academy returned with an updated proposal to combine 96 Maple and 100 Maple into one property where they seek to relocate their Cowan Center, a program for children from 8 weeks old to 4 years old, that services teachers at Greenwich Academy, Brunswick School, and “affiliate families.” The house is located in the single family R-20 zone. It was granted a Historic Overlay (HO) for a second unit in 1979 in return for preserving the historic structure in perpetuity. In later years, the house was illegally divided into four units and has four kitchens. Subscribe to the daily Greenwich Free Press newsletter. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Government, Real Estate, Schools, 96 Maple Ave, Bill Galvin, Bruce Cohen, Brunswick School, Chip Haslun

Standing Room Only as Anticipation Mounts for P&Z Decision on Chabad Synagogue

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At the Dec 18 P&Z meeting the commission reviewed the application for a new Chabad Lubavitch synagogue at the corner of Mason Street and Havemeyer including parking, rooftop playground, and safety given there is an entrance opposite the fire house.

Rabbi Yossi Deren said the commission was being discriminatory and “moving the lines.” The acting chair said the commission was working according to regulations and the process is iterative. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Government, Real Estate, Andy Fox, Chabad Lubavitch, David Hardman, Dennis Yeskey, Greenwich Avenue, Katie DeLuca

Lincoln to Erect 2-Story, Glass Showroom; Greenwich Motor Sales Closes after 60+ Years

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The Caviolas closed Greenwich Auto sales at the end of August 2018. A Lincoln showroom is proposed for the property which will be leased on a long term basis. The Planning & Zoning commission asked about lighting, curb cuts, car carrier deliveries. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Business, Government, Dominic Franchella, Greenwich Motor Sales, John Caviola, Lincoln, Lincoln of Greenwich, Margarita Alban

RTM Appointments Committee Votes on New Term for P&Z’s Richard Maitland

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The Appointments committee of the RTM were overall civil, though Carl Carlson pounded his fist on the table and said he could not abide by Richard Maitland being chair when P&Z approved Neighbor to Neighbor’s food pantry building by a historic church and Tomes Higgins House, as well as condos on Milbank Ave. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Government, Real Estate, Appointments Committee, Carl Carlson, John Eddy, Margarita Alban, P&Z Commission, Richard Maitland

Proposal for Abandoned CT Institute of Art Features 67 Residential Units, Supermarket

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Development of properties at 581 and 585 West Putnam Ave was discussed well past midnight at Planning & Zoning Tuesday night. The proposal includes excavation of more than 20 feet of ledge over an area exceeding an acre.
That is about 31,000 cubic yards of material. Extensive blasting could last for a prolonged period of time. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Government, Aleksandra Moch, Citarella, Connecticut Institute of Art, Craig Studer, Gateway Construction, John Ferari, John Tesei

Music & Arts Private Lessons Get the Gong from Planning & Zoning

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Music & Arts in Greenwich sought to offer private lessons in four small “chambers” at their retail store. The Zoning Enforcement Officer had determined the lessons were an educational use and therefore not permitted. Applicant’s attorney John Tesei said the lessons were not an educational use, but rather “physical conditioning,” which is a Personal Service, which is allowed in the Central Business Retail Zone. The commission voted unanimously to deny the application. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Arts, Government, Andy Fox, Dennis Yeskey, Greenwich Music, James Fulton, John Tesei, Margarita Alban

POCD Open Mic Night Highlights

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On Thursday night P&Z held an open mic session at town hall for residents to give input to the 2019 Plan of Conservation and Development which is updated every ten years. A couple dozen people spoke, mainly longtime residents and familiar faces in local government and non profits including the Greenwich Tree Conservancy. Aleksandra Moch of the Town’s conservation commission gave a snapshot of the town’s changing demographics and housing trends taken from the Partnership for Strong Communities. Median age is 42.2 years old. Which is 2 years older than average for Connecticut. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Government, Real Estate, Aleksandra Moch, David Hardman, Katie DeLuca, Margarita Alban, Patrick Larow, Paul Pugliese

P&Z Pushes Back on DPW Bridge/Rotary Project on Sound Beach Ave

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Jim Michel said the State has set aside $3.8 million in funding, though the current estimate is $4.9 million. “They said they’d honor and bring the funding up to $4.9 million when we submit the final design plans,” he said. One resident warned that the only place where there is free cheese is in a mouse trap. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Government, Real Estate, Transportation, Allen Lovejoy, Amy Siebert, Andy Fox, Binney Park, Binney Pond