The surprise of the evening was opposition to the redevelopment from local business owners. Continue Reading →
P&Z Watch: Local Businesses Oppose Upgrade of Greenwich’s Only Movie Theater
|
Margarita Alban
Recent Posts
Riverside Towing Ability to Operate Challenged at P&Z Following Cease & Desist
|
Riverside Towing received a cease and desist order from Greenwich’s Zoning Enforcement Officer because they only have a permit for repair service at 561 West Putnam Ave. The question is whether towing is a use that falls under repair. Continue Reading →
Filed under: Government, Transportation, 500 West Putnam Ave, 581 West Putnam Ave, 585 West Putnam Ave, Albert and Heather Jagodzinski, Andy Fox, Chip Haslun
Sharp Words Exchanged at P&Z Meeting on Proposed 6-110 Development at 62 Mason Street
|
Several commissioners gave architectural advice on the design proposed for 62 Mason Street after the applicant had done what ARC asked during 3 meetings. The chair asked them to refrain. Then the applicant surprised P&Z by saying a century old Magnolia tree was unhealthy, and needed to come down. That was a surprise considering that was not mentioned at last week’s tree hearing on a different tree. Continue Reading →
Filed under: Government, Real Estate, 62 Mason Street, David Hardman, Dennis Yeskey, Francia Alvarez, Greenwich Tree Conservancy, Margarita Alban
P&Z Watch: Future Uses of Former Pickwick Theater Building Contemplated
|
On Tuesday night the P&Z commission entertained an application from Paradigm 44-48 West Putnam Ave, the owners of the property that once was Pickwick Theatre, seating 2,000+ people (opened Nov 21, 1929). After the theater closed the building was used as a bowling alley before being converted to office space and retail. The applicant seeks relief from a 1995 condition of approval that identified it as “mezzanine space,” arguing it is actually a second floor, as it is up a flight of stairs. Zoning limits the use of ground floor commercial space. Designating the space as a second floor use would allow the possibility of leasing space to a fitness center. Continue Reading →
Filed under: Business, Government, 44-48 West Putnam Avenue, Chip Haslun, Margarita Alban, Nick Macri, Pickwick Theatre
P&Z Watch: Property Rights Struggle Bubbling Up at Shore Acres
|
If you own title to an access way to Greenwich Cove established a century ago and the town never taxed it, can you pave it and use part of it for your driveway? Can you use its FAR to build a bigger house on your adjacent lot where you already tore down a house? Shore Acres neighbors say absolutely not. Continue Reading →
Filed under: Government, Real Estate, Chip Haslun, Dave Hawkins, Margarita Alban, Melissa Klauberg, Nicole and David Areson, Paul Pugliese
P&Z Review Stipulation Agreement on 143 Sound Beach Ave: “A Good Compromise”
|
“The applicant has been very accommodating to specific changes and requests to changes to architecture. I feel we have a good compromise here,” said commissioner Nick Macri. Continue Reading →
Filed under: Government, Real Estate, 143 Sound Beach Avenue, 143 Sound Beach Avenue Associates LP, Andy Fox, Margarita Alban, Nancy Ramer, Nick Macri
P&Z Approves Chabad Synagogue but with Significantly Less FAR, and Conditions
|
“Where I struggle is we grant more FAR and yet the applicant does not meet the requirement of our parking regulations. And yet the applicant has spoken consistently of building a facility to fully accommodate its growth and future demand, yet the facility starts out not providing parking per regulations. That’s made me uncomfortable throughout this.” – P&Z chair Margarita Alban Continue Reading →
Filed under: Government, Dave Hardman, Margarita Alban, Nick Macri, Peter Levy, Victoria Goss
Maple Avenue Neighbors Versus Greenwich Academy: The Battle Has Just Begun
|
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
|
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
|
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 →