Plans For New Cancer Center In Town Proposed By Greenwich Hospital

GREENWICH, CT — After being rejected by the town's Planning & Zoning Commission in 2021 and 2022, Greenwich Hospital has reignited plans to add a new cancer center to the community.

This time, however, the hospital is seeking a special permit to renovate the primary hospital building, the Watson Pavilion, at 5 Perryridge Road, and the Cohen Pavilion, at 77 Lafayette Place, to accommodate their use as the Smilow Cancer Hospital Care Center, according to pre-application documents on file with the Greenwich Planning & Zoning Department.

The pre-application process allows for a non-binding discussion with the commission about the pros and cons of a proposal before a substantial investment is made in developing plans, reports and studies.

Additionally, the hospital has plans to convert two other buildings, at 38 Lake Ave. and 3 Perryridge Road, into administrative offices for the human resources department and a medical education unit.

The Greenwich Planning & Zoning Commission previously rejected two separate proposals that called for 50,000-plus square-foot cancer center facilities on eight parcels of land at the corner of Lake Avenue and Lafayette Place.

Hospital officials noted the prevalence of cancer has been rising, and specialized care requires more space. A new center next door to the hospital would be advantageous, they said at the time.

Residents who opposed the plans argued that a new center would negatively change the character and feel of the neighborhood, as well as create more traffic problems and congestion in the area.

P&Z Commissioners ultimately agreed in their rejections.

"The proposal draws on the comments made by the Planning & Zoning Commission during the hospital's prior applications for the center, requesting that the hospital evaluate locating the center within the existing properties," said Amy Souchuns, attorney for the applicant, in documents submitted to the town. "The current design achieves that goal, cohesively blending with the existing structures and the surrounding neighborhood"

Souchins also said Greenwich Hospital and its Neighborhood Advisory Committee have met regularly over the last two years to address concerns. The committee is composed of residents in the immediate area and hospital representatives.

"The center will be fully within the walls of the existing Watson Pavilion and Cohen Pavilion," Souchuns added, noting approximately 36,000 square feet of the Watson Pavilion would be repurposed to accommodate a portion of the center. "Additionally, existing programs within the Cohen Pavilion will be right-sized within the building to align with current design recommendations."

There will not be any building expansion at 5 Perryridge Road and 77 Lafayette Place, Souchuns said. The only exterior work would be related to landscaping improvements.

The hospital has begun to shift the functions of the Perryridge property to facilitate the new center, Souchuns said.

"Additional functions will be moved over the upcoming months, with certain departments, like human resources and occupational health, moving to nearby hospital-owned properties along Lake Avenue, Lafayette Place and Perryridge Road, as well as more distant locations such as 55 Holly Hill Lane and 500 W. Putnam Ave.," Souchuns noted.

Traffic engineer Tighe & Bond is currently working on a traffic impact and parking study associated with the proposed cancer center, Souchuns said.

A preliminary study indicates the hospital's on-site underground parking facility has sufficient space to accommodate the estimated patients and visitors to the hospital, including the center, according to Souchuns.

"With respect to the center's operations, preliminary calculations reflect traffic volumes spread throughout the course of the day and across major access routes in the vicinity."

The Greenwich Planning & Zoning Commission will discuss the pre-application in the coming weeks.