Greenwich P&Z Commission Set To Examine Central Middle School Project

GREENWICH, CT — The new Central Middle School project will take the next step this week in a pre-application review before the Greenwich Planning & Zoning Commission.

According to the final agenda posted by the Planning & Zoning Department, the commission is scheduled to kickoff Tuesday's regularly scheduled meeting with the CMS Building Committee and the proposed project.

The applicant is seeking answers from Planning & Zoning on several pre-application questions about the project. The questions are related to parking guidelines, landscaping, traffic concerns and pedestrian safety.

The pre-application process generally allows for a non-binding discussion with the commission about the pros and cons of a proposal.

The project overview associated with application documents submitted to the town states that "the new middle school will house up to 660 students in approximately 125,000 gross square feet on two stories. The building will be designed with safety, flexibility, and sustainability in mind."

In the current proposed plan, the first floor will provide a secured main entrance, the project overview states. The first floor would be the central hub for assembly spaces such as the auditorium, gymnasium and cafeteria.

The main office, nurse and counseling suites, visual and performing arts spaces, family and consumer science, and innovation lab/wood shop would all be on the first floor as well.

The media center, special education spaces, and right-sized academic classrooms would be housed on the second floor, the project overview states.

"In comfortable climate-controlled areas with plenty of natural daylight, students will have the opportunity to participate in large groups, small groups, and individualized learning – flexible environments designed within the classrooms, break-out zones, and spaces in the media center," the overview continues. "Three well-defined pods are designed to support the two teams in each grade level. Between the pods, on-grade access to courtyard spaces nestled into the property’s forested north hill will provide safe outdoor classroom and activity areas."

Additionally, athletic fields would be redeveloped to support baseball and softball, along with a new multipurpose field.

New site circulation would provide safe and separate drop-off areas for buses and cars, as well as accessible pedestrian paths for student walkers and from new parking lots.

Parent drop-off and pick-up will be on school property thanks to a long access driveway, according to the proposal. Currently, this takes place on public roadways near the school.

Local traffic will be improved by the design change and by new bus traffic patterns, according to SLAM, the architecture firm involved in the project.

Tuesday's regular Planning & Zoning meeting is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. It will be broadcast via Zoom.

View the full agenda here.