Greenwich Free Press (https://greenwichfreepress.com/tag/mason-street/)
“…the court finds that the Commission properly approved the application, with modifications, the decision is reasonably supported by the record, and thus, the decision was not arbitrary, illegal, or an abuse of its discretion. Accordingly, the decision of the Commission is affirmed and this appeal is dismissed.” – Superior Court Judge Claudia A Baio Continue Reading →
In Hartford Superior Court, a judge has yet to rule on the developer’s lawsuit against the Town’s P&Z commission over the conditions of approval of the 8-30g affordable housing project straddling Mason Street. That doesn’t impact the demolition. Continue Reading →
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 →
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 →