Plan for ‘ultra-modern’ residential building draws criticism
GREENWICH — A plan to build a modern four-story residential building at 171 Hamilton Ave. earned mixed reviews from the public and planning officials this week.
The building — designed as a boxy structure that would fill much of the lot — would include six residences, two of which would be designated as “affordable” under the town’s housing code, according to developers. It would also include 11 parking spaces that would serve the site.
The proposed building, off
View Street, would replace an old vacant brick barber shop and a two-story home that are there now. The development team is headed by local builder Joseph Pecora.
“It’s a very acceptable location for affordable development,” attorney Bruce Cohen told the Planning and Zoning Commission on Tuesday night. “It’s on the bus line, and close to shopping in the immediate vicinity.”
A retail component could be part of the plan, too, he said.
But the commissioners said they were unenthusiastic about of the current design for the proposal, which features a modern, contemporary look with a brown and gray exterior. The development team noted it was only a preliminary concept and said the design could be modified.
Berrin Snyder, a neighborhood resident, spoke up at the hearing and said she did not approve of what she called the proposed structure’s “ultramodern”
appearance, and said it would be “really out of place” in the mostly residential neighborhood.
Vin DiMarco, another nearby
resident, also raised a concern about the look of the proposed residential building. “I’m disappointed to see it so modern there,” he said.
Walter Rojowksi said the proposal was “out of scope” with the surrounding neighborhood and questioned the density of the overall project.
Commissioner Peter Levy said he also thought the proposed design of the residential structure should be “quieted down,” and also said he would favor a look that was “much simpler” in design.
In explaining the design to the Planning and Zoning Commission, Pecora said he was trying to be forwardlooking and going with a design that would appeal to a younger demographic with the plan.
“Most younger people want to live in more modern buildings,” he said, noting that the process was still in the early stages.
“The facade can be changed,” he said. Pecora added that he thought the neighborhood was changing, and a contemporary style might be desirable in the future.
The application will be considered again at a later date.