Greenwich Reform Synagogue applies for preschool and playground

The following was written by Greenwich resident John Timm:

Friends and neighbors, and for those who don’t know me, when we were trying to preserve the residential character of our neighborhood by opposing the synagogue at 92 Orchard St at that time (2013/2014) I informed you of the schedule of meetings that were held for the approval of the synagogue.

Continuing on with that I want to make you aware that Greenwich Reform Synagogue (GRS) has submitted applications to the Inland Wetlands and Watercourse Agency (IWWA), Planning and Zoning (P&Z) and the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) for the construction of a playground and instituting a preschool program.

ZBA Application: PLZE201700715 92 ORCHARD STREET, GREENWICH. Appeal of Greenwich Reform Synagogue for special exception approval to permit a preschool use at an existing synagogue as well as the construction of a playground for said preschool at a religious institution located in the R-12 zone.

P&Z Application: Greenwich Reform Synagogue - Pre-School & Playground; application PLPZ2017 00581 for a final site plan, Greenwich Reform Synagogue proposes to install a playground area north of the Synagogue Building to support the proposed pre-school use on a 77,144.76 sq. ft. property located at 92 Orchard Street in the R-12 zone. (Staff: PL) (Must decide by 4/21/2018) (Maximum extension to decide granted) (Continued from the 3/6/2018 meeting) (Seated: Maitland, Alban, Levy, Fox, and Macri)

As required by the lawsuit settlement GRS had against the ZBA and the Town of Greenwich GRS is required to submit applications to these agencies for the approval of the preschool and playground.

Part of the application states that they will have two sessions one from 9AM to 1PM and the other from 12PM to 4PM with up to 52 students per session with 12 staff members and the construction of a playground on the north side of their property at 92 Orchard St. Included in the application is a traffic study.

Detailed information and drawings of the playground can be found in the applications at the ZBA and P&Z offices.

GRS submitted an application to IWWA in December 2017 which was challenged by the building department that required changes and the easement of a drain pipe across the Caravella property at 96 Orchard St. The engineering department has resolved the issues with the application and Caravella has granted an easement to GRS for the drain pipe to cross their property. The IWWA application was approved on March 26th.

The next application that needs approval is the ZBA application. The ZBA will be holding a meeting on April 4th at 8:15PM in the Joseph Cone Meeting Room on the second floor of the Town Hall.

Please attend this meeting if you have concerns about the preschool, traffic and other matters.

The ZBA has to approve their application prior to the P&Z scheduling a meeting date to hear their application.

If you have any questions please feel free in sending me an email at: s92orchardst@hotmail.com.

John Timm