Greenwich P&Z To Review Major Redevelopment Proposal For Section Of Greenwich Avenue

GREENWICH, CT — The Greenwich Planning and Zoning Commission is scheduled to begin its July 21 meeting with a discussion of a proposed redevelopment that could significantly reshape a prominent gateway to downtown.

The commission will conduct a pre-application review for a proposal by Greenwich Avenue Properties LLC and MBMB Greenwich LLC involving 2 and 10 Greenwich Ave. and 10-12 W. Putnam Ave.

Scheduled for Tuesday, July 21, at 4 p.m., the meeting will be held virtually via Zoom. The agenda is listed as "tentative" and is expected to be finalized in the coming days.

The application calls for demolishing the existing buildings, consolidating the three parcels into a single property and constructing a mixed-use building with below-grade and ground-floor retail space and four residential apartments on the upper floors, according to the meeting agenda.

A pre-application review allows commissioners to provide initial feedback before a formal application is submitted. No vote on the project is expected during the discussion.

According to materials previously submitted to the town, the proposal involves one of downtown Greenwich's most recognizable corners at the intersection of Greenwich Avenue and West Putnam Avenue.

The applicant has said the existing Tudor Revival building at 2 Greenwich Ave. has experienced decades of structural deterioration and would be rebuilt in a manner intended to reflect its historic architectural character, while the adjacent portions of the project would feature complementary contemporary design.

The proposal also includes residential units above new retail space.

First Selectman Fred Camillo mentioned the proposal in his weekly newsletter to the community on Friday, saying he planned on speaking at the July 21 P&Z meeting. He also encouraged other residents to sign up and speak.

He pointed out that the proposal has been initiated entirely by the developer, and is not a result of any changes to the town's zoning regulations, the Plan of Conservation and Development, or new policies, laws or regulatory changes.

"I am following this very closely because we need to make the right decisions for the best interests of our Town, not just for now but for the future," Camillo wrote. "If you need a reminder of what short-sighted thinking can do, you can just look across the street from this planned project where the beautiful Pickwick Arms Hotel once stood and is now office buildings."

Neither the Planning & Zoning Commission nor the Historic District Commission has the authority to stop a demolition if the developer chooses to do it, Camillo said, even though the property is in the Greenwich Avenue National Register Historic District. The HDC may require a 90-day delay.

The State Historic Preservation Office and the office of Connecticut’s Attorney General have powers when it comes to the demolition of a historic or culturally significant structure, according to Camillo, and he noted he has written a letter to both on the matter, urging their involvement.

View the agenda here.