The New And Improved Greenwich TimeHearst Newspaper Editor David McCumber Has Once Again Responded To Greenwich Retired Men's Association Member Complaints About How Poorly The Greenwich Time Covered Town Meetings
Planning And Zoning Members Were Shocked As A Greenwich Time Reporter Stays For The Entire Meeting And Even Questioned Planning And Zoning Chairman Donald Heller After The Meeting
Previous Greenwich Time Reporters Like Niel Vigdor Rarely Showed Up For Planning And Zoning Meetings, And If They Showed Up They On Stayed Briefly For One High Profile Application
However This Time, Greenwich Time Reporter Frank MacEachern Sat Down With A Full P And Z Press Packet At His Side Furiously Typing on A Laptop On His Lap
Russian multi-millionaire's renovation plan gets nod
By Frank MacEachern, Staff Writer
After two years of controversy, a wealthy Russian couple have overcome opposition to their plans for their 18 Simmons Lane estate.
The Planning and Zoning Commission on Tuesday approved Olga and Valery Kogan's plan to renovate their 19,000-square-foot home.
Last May, citing neighborhood opposition, Olga Kogan abandoned efforts to tear down the home and build a new 21,127-square-foot residence with 15 bathrooms.
The commission approved that plan last March after it had been scaled down from one for a 27,000-square-foot mansion with 26 bathrooms.
Valery Kogan is chairman of the East Line Group, which manages Moscow's Domodedovo International Airport.....
Greenwich Time Reporter Frank MacEachern Did A Much Better Job Than Niel Vigdor Of Covering All Of The Business Before The Planning And Zoning Board
.....a public hearing aired differing viewpoints on proposed zoning changes to ensure business zones didn't become the preserve of banks, and real estate and insurance firms.
The commission is considering adding special permits to some zoning applications as a way to control development by banks, for example. The permits would allow the commission to consider other issues, such as traffic, before giving a proposal its approval.
Peter Lauridsen, a Realtor and principal of Greenwich Land Co., argued special permits would only increase the cost of doing business by lengthening the zoning approval process.
However, Chris Canavan, president of Greenwich Automotive Services at 111 W. Putnam Ave., said special permits are "a way you preserve the character of the town."....
Frank MacEachern Makes Greenwich Residents Feel Like They Are Sitting In The Middle Of The Bi-Monthly Pand Z Meeting
.....a hint briefly surfaced that a review of a portion of renovations at Luca's of Greenwich restaurant at 35 Church St. could be a hot topic at the March 9 commission meeting.
It was on the agenda Tuesday because of the possibility of issuing a stop work order due to concerns about the building's structure.
However, the commission was told that the town's Building Department determined work could proceed.
Jane Hogeman, the lawyer representing residents at 20 Church St. across the street from Luca's, was stymied when she tried to raise questions about other parts of the building -- such as its exterior -- only to be told those questions had to wait for the March 9 meeting.....
.....The plan to turn the site of the former Cos Cob Power Plant into a recreation area was also briefly addressed. It is to be taken up on March 9.....
....The commission granted an extension of a coastal site plan for Joseph Zaffino at 48 Loughlin Ave.....
....The commission approved a final site plan and special permit to convert a storage area at 165 Mason St. into a penthouse and fitness center for tenants only.....
Then Greenwich Time Reporter Frank MacEachern Filed A Second Report From The Planning And Zoning Meeting
Marina and club expansion withdrawn after opposition
By Frank MacEachern, Staff Writer
Faced with a skeptical zoning commission, Rick Kral has withdrawn his proposed expansion of his Cos Cob-based marina and private club.
But he vowed Wednesday to submit a new application this year.
"We are going to regroup and come back with something else," he said. "We're not giving up."
Kral owns Beacon Point Marina and Greenwich Water Club, located at 49 River Road. Kral wanted to redevelop his current site as well as expand to a nearby property.
The site is in the waterfront business zone, where zoning rules require most of the activities to be primarily water-related, such as slips or services for boats and the rowing club there now......
This Is Better Than Twitter:
Greenwich Time Reporter Niel Vigdor Only Used To Give A Two Day Old Staff Summary Of The Planning And Zoning Meeting
While Greenwich Time Reporter Frank MacEachern Gave A Blow By Blow Up To The Minute Description Of The Procceedings From His Laptop
...."You were going west and a lot of people were going east," said Chairman Donald Heller about Kral's attempts to resolve questions about his plan.....
.....Commissioner Richard Maitland didn't believe there was enough parking in the plan.
Local residents were also opposed to the expansion because of concerns about traffic.
Late in the meeting, Peter Lowe and Sean Goldrick, parents whose children have rowed at the club, harshly criticized the rowing program offered at Kral's business.
Lowe accused Kral of running a for-profit program and hiking the registration that rowers pay by about 60 percent in three years, from $880 in 2006 to $1,350 last year.....
....Goldrick joined in that criticism and said Kral's claim that he made no money on the rowing program was "balderdash."
With the two men sitting with their arms crossed several rows behind him, and occasionally shaking their heads....
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