Greenwich Free Press (https://greenwichfreepress.com/tag/mason-street/)
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 →
The P&Z commission noted that while 8-30g waived regs on setbacks for residential, it says nothing about commercial. The application includes retail in both buildings. There were still concerns about a condo building separate from affordable building, as well as height and mass. Continue Reading →
“I’m very sensitive every time I testify in Hartford about the perception of Greenwich and the treatment I get when I’m testifying because I’m from Greenwich. I want to show that we’re putting our best foot forward and making a genuine effort. I want to pass the sniff test.” – P&Z chair Margarita Alban Continue Reading →
Discussion touched on pedestrian and vehicular safety, as well as the relevance of environmental remediation at 315 Milbank Ave scheduled for summer 2024. Continue Reading →
A new application to P&Z would replace the former Honda dealership, as well as a residential house and a commercial building on Greenwich Ave, with two multi-story apartment buildings and retail space on the first floor level. One building would be six stories and one would be stories. Continue Reading →