Greenwich Free Press (https://greenwichfreepress.com/tag/nick-macri/)
Neighbors in the area of Calhoun Drive and Upland waited for hours to testify against a proposed 4,500 sq ft “carriage house” in front of a historic 1923 house at 21 Calhoun Drive that likely, even if preserved, would no longer be visible from the street. Continue Reading →
The route would include portions of Sound Beach Ave, Wesskum Wood Rd, and Arch Street in Old Greenwich – essentially a loop around Binney Pond – for a total of .6 miles. Continue Reading →
“You have all these incentives, and you push back. There is an 8-30g,” contract purchaser Andrew Toth warned, referring to the state statute for affordable housing exempting developers from local zoning regulations. “Property is expensive. You have to have a certain rent roll.” Continue Reading →
“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 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 →
“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 →