More Units Added In Latest Greenwich Affordable Housing Proposal

GREENWICH, CT — An affordable housing proposal on Benedict Court/Benedict Place in central Greenwich has been resubmitted to the town's Planning & Zoning Department with more residential units, according to submitted documents.

The plans first appeared before the Planning & Zoning Commission as a pre-application in March 2022 and then again in October 2023.

In October, the 8-30g affordable housing proposal called for the construction of a six-story residential apartment building containing 110 units on Benedict Place and Benedict Court.

Now, the proposed project calls for 120 units, of which 48 would be designated as moderate-income units, with a mix of one, two and three-bedroom layouts, submitted documents note.

Buildings currently in the proposed area on Benedict Court & Benedict Place are a mix of retail, office and residential uses. The proposal would consolidate 12 lots for a total of 51,306 square feet, according to submitted documents.

The new residential building would be about 78 feet high and just to the west of Greenwich Avenue. There would be a lifestyle amenity space, multiple outdoor greenspaces and a two-level parking garage with 174 spaces.

Last October, there was objection to the proposal by residents, who cited concerns about parking and congestion to the already heavily trafficked area.

"Allowing these building projects to proceed will have negative impacts on Greenwich Avenue, our town and our community," resident Kevin Stone wrote in submitted public comments. "The increased congestion will cause issues with parking, crowded traffic on Greenwich Ave. and nearby streets, noise and air pollution, and create difficulty in accessing the business we are trying so hard to support and maintain."

A traffic report is included with the new submission.

William Haslun, attorney for the applicant Nimbus Realty LLC, said in the latest project narrative that stakeholders have continued to modify the plans and work with the town's Affordable Housing Trust Fund.

Haslun noted that the project is responsive to the 2019 Plan of Conservation and Development, "in that would be an 'infill' development on underutilized land."

Further, he said it would add diversity to the housing stock in town, especially on the affordable housing front.

"Due to its central location, we believe the development will be attractive to those looking to down-size, to young professionals and to workforce employees, such as hospital workers, teachers and first responders, both currently residing in Greenwich and looking to relocate to Greenwich," Haslun said.

The proposal has yet to be scheduled to go before the Greenwich Planning & Zoning Commission.