Plan For Mel Gibson's Former Greenwich Estate Withdrawn

GREENWICH, CT — A plan that would affect four lots on Old Mill Road in the backcountry area of Greenwich, including a mansion once owned by actor Mel Gibson, may not move forward, as the developer has withdrawn the application, according town officials.

Director Of Environmental Affairs Patricia Sesto confirmed Thursday she received a letter this week from attorney John Tesei, who represents Cosette Property LLC, stating they were withdrawing the application.

She also said the project developer had not indicated if they would be resubmitting the application, however they could do so at any time.

"When somebody withdraws, there's no time limit for when they can come back or if they can come back," Sesto said to Patch, "so that's their prerogative or someone else's prerogative."

The plan involved combining the four areas into one parcel and building 28 new condos across approximately 75 acres of land in the Old Mill Road area.

Cosette submitted the plan to the town's Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Agency over the summer, and a public hearing was held in August.

According to Sesto, a staff report was written following the submission and an engineering review took place, which outlined several concerns and questions. The agency did not receive any further submissions addressing those issues.

"If there were a re-submission," Sesto said, "I would hope that the applicant or new applicant would avail itself to that information and address those questions."

Sesto said the project's status was "open" prior to the application being withdrawn. If the project came back in, the process would start anew and repeat, she said.

During the August hearing, some residents expressed concerns about certain aspects of the plan.

"There was concern about the intensity of the development," Sesto said to Patch in August, "and its potential impact to the wetlands and watercourses."

According to the Greenwich Time, the meeting was attended by over 100 residents, most of whom opposed the "colossal" plan. One resident cited a large development "upstream" in town possibly having a negative impact on the water quality of residences "downstream" as a possible concern.

Gibson's former mansion is located 124 Old Mill Road. A 2015 listing boasted features such as a pool, putting greens, a tennis court and a walk-in fireplace, in addition to 15 bedrooms and a six-stall horse stable.

Though noteworthy, Sesto said she does not think that aspect of the property has brought any extra attention to the plan.

"I think the history of the property and the fact that it was [owned by] an actor just allows the people to easily identify which it is," Sesto said, "but I don't think that impacts ownership in any way that I am aware of. I think it's just known."