Greenwich Free Press (https://greenwichfreepress.com/tag/margarita-alban/page/19/)
“An HO allows additional uses, but it also allows for an increase in square footage in the building, up to 28,800 sq ft….Now there is 12,000 sq ft. …You’re having a Historic Overlay to save the building in perpetuity, but in 20 years the church could add an awful lot and redevelop to 28,000 sq ft.” – P&Z Commissioner Nick Macri Continue Reading →
The application was submitted before P&Z changed the rule in R-6 zone allowing no more than 2-family homes. After P&Z denied the project in 2017, the applicant took the Town to court. The settlement involves 30 units in two buildings connected by a glass lobby. Continue Reading →
The surprise of the evening was opposition to the redevelopment from local business owners. Continue Reading →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
“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 →
“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 →
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 →