Residential Development With Affordable Housing Proposed In Pemberwick

GREENWICH, CT — Plans for a large residential development with affordable housing in the Pemberwick section of town have been submitted to the Greenwich Planning & Zoning Commission for a pre-application review.

The project calls for the creation of 220 residential units at 200 Pemberwick Road and 0 Comly Ave., to comply with the requirements of 8-30g as an assisted housing development, with the participation of Greenwich's Affordable Housing Trust Fund.

The Trust was created in November of 2021. Its purpose is to foster the creation of new units of affordable housing in Greenwich while at the same time seeking to help the town manage and influence the development of these units so as not to overburden local infrastructure.

According to the town's website, the Trust has received initial funding from the town of $650,000, with another $450,000 available to match donations from members of the public.

The Affordable Housing Trust Board has 11 members.

According to documents submitted to the town earlier this month, the development, named Waterfall Hollow, would be built on two lots owned by Aldo Pascarella, an attorney and real estate developer.

The lots are separated by the Byram River and accessed via pedestrian bridge.

The first lot fronts Pemberwick Road and has a two-story office building that was originally constructed in 1900, along with a fitness center built in 1948 and remodeled in 2013.

The second lot fronts Comly Avenue, and has asphalt parking for 154 vehicles.

Brent L. Carrier, president of CRE Development, the proposed developer for the project, said in a letter to Town Planner Katie DeLuca that construction would entail the addition of three separate buildings, ranging from two to six stories of residential units, with garage level parking.

"Of the 220 units, 55 units would be deed restricted pursuant to standards established by the Greenwich Affordable Housing Trust as a condition of the funding we anticipate receiving from the Trust," Carrier said. "The subject property has the advantage of being accessible both from Pemberwick Road and King Street via Comly Avenue, creating good traffic flow, which the site plan incorporates."

Bob Barolak, chair of the town's Affordable Housing Trust Fund and a member of the Planning & Zoning Commission, told Pascarella in a letter that "the Trust has a strong interest in moving forward with you on a potential funding that would confer 'assisted housing' status upon this project."

He said his letter is merely an expression of interest and not a funding commitment.

Barolak noted that the Trust is refining its policies and procedures for funding, and anticipates being in a position soon to begin issuing conditional commitments to projects it considers worthy of funding.

The item has not yet been scheduled for a pre-application review by the Planning & Zoning Commission.

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.