Greenwich Reform Synagogue Submits Plans for Cos Cob Site

Greenwich Reform Synagogue has announced that it has filed plans with the Planning and Zoning Commission, for its proposed religious and education facility in Cos Cob.

Town Planner Diane Fox did not return a message seeking comment about the proposal and when it would be scheduled for Planning and Zoning Commission review. Neighbors living on nearby streets including Orchard Street, Osee Place and Valleywood Road have opposed the plan since it was first revealed in fall 2012. A group of residents filed a lawsuit against the planning commission after it approved a lot line realignment in January which would provide the synagogue the space needed for the project. That suit is still pending in state Superior Court in Stamford.

Here is the statement released this week by the synagogue. 
Greenwich Reform Synagogue (GRS), a Reform Jewish congregation serving the Greenwich community for over 35 years, has filed its application with the Town of Greenwich to build a new synagogue on the site it purchased in Cos Cob. The building will be an historic milestone for Greenwich—it will be only the second purpose-built synagogue built in the town’s 373-year history.

As detailed in the filing, the synagogue, which will be constructed on a 1.75-acre site, is expected to be 2.5 stories and will house a sanctuary, classrooms and offices in less than 13,000 square feet. The site will include approximately 48 parking spots.

The building is designed by architecture firm Mark B. Thompson Associates LLC. The firm’s principal, Mark Thompson, is a former Greenwich resident and is personally overseeing the design process. Mr. Thompson has been responsible for numerous well-received designs in Greenwich.

GRS officials are extremely enthusiastic about the design for the building, which they described as beautiful in its simplicity and modesty, welcoming, and a good fit for the neighborhood.

“Mark has designed something truly special,” said GRS Board President Robert Birnbaum. “He has a keen and unique sensitivity to the land and neighborhood. He has figured out a way to marry those elements with the traditions of our religion and specifically of our congregation, and the result is a creation that looks like home.”

The synagogue will take on a curved form due to the landscape, which will give it an open and welcoming appearance, as if greeting you with open arms, Mr. Thompson said.

It will be set toward the back of the property and situated at the foot of a dramatic rock ledge, which will be left largely untouched by the design.

“The building will open and look onto the rock formation, which is the most distinguishing characteristic of the property,” Mr. Thompson said. “The ledge is so durable and has been shaped over so many years that it is evocative and appropriate for a spiritual tradition in its sixth millennium of existence. It is a union of two things that predate the settlement of Greenwich by quite a long time.”

Parking will be toward the front of the property, and Mr. Thompson sees great potential for the lot and the rest of the design to be a complement to the wooded Pomerance and Tuchman parkland properties directly across the street.

“It will be broken up into four cul-de-sacs, each to be its own orchard, or grove,” Mr. Thompson said. “It will take its visual characteristics and cues from the natural forest across the street, and we can have the opportunity to return some native plant species to the property.”

The entrance to the building will be on Orchard Street. GRS owns the property at 22 Osee Place, which is not being included in the plan. As had been previously stated, there will not be an entrance or exit for the congregation through Osee Place. 

“We look forward to the Town’s review of our plans,” said Mr. Birnbaum. “We believe we have an outstanding application. We have solicited and considered opinions from numerous groups including, most importantly, our new neighbors, all of whom we’ve reached out to.  We’ve wanted to make this process as open as possible, and to get as much input as to specific neighbor concerns as we could.  The conversations and meetings we’ve had with those who were willing to talk have been most helpful and generally positive.”