Synagogue Hires Architect as Residents Challenge Town's OK Allowing Property Line Changes

An architect who has designed several familiar landmarks in town has been retained by Greenwich Reform Synagogue to develop plans by the end of the year for the congregation's new facility it hopes to build in Cos Cob.

The choice of the architect was announced by the principal of the Philadelphia-based firm, Mark B. Thompson Associates. In a statement, Thompson is described as a "originally from Greenwich" who "will oversee the project personally." His firm has completed Greenwich projects including restoration of the Perrot Memorial Library and design of its Radcliffe Children’s Wing, projects for the First Presbyterian Church, the Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich, Greenwich Country Day School and Eagle Hill School.

According to the statement, no "determination has yet been made on any specifics, including the size of the synagogue or parking lot. Thompson will have a plan completed so that the leadership of the 150-family member congregation by the end of the year, according to the statement.

The announcement is the latest development in the synagogue's plan to build a synagogue, classrooms and other space on a 2.2 acre tract it has purchased on Orchard Street in Cos Cob. The land purchase and the synagogue's plans sparked deep opposition by residents who say the plan will generate more traffic in the heavily-trafficked area and that by redrawing the lot lines of the properties, the residential character of the neighborhood will be altered and devalue adjacent properties.

In a lawsuit filed against the Greenwich Planning and Zoning Commission in February, the residents challenged the validity of the commission's approval for the redrawing of the lot lines saying the commission erred in its decision, did not follow zoning regulations and held an illegal meeting prior to its Jan. 29 vote approving the redrawing of the property line, that was in violation of the state's Freedom of Information Act. The case is pending in state Superior Court in Stamford.

Greenwich Reform Synagogue has been seeking to build a permanent facility since it sold its Stanwich Road property to the Stanwich School. The synagogue has been holding services at the First Congregational Church of Old Greenwich.

Regarding the hiring of Thompson Associates, the synagogue's Board of Trustees president Robert Birnbaum said in the statement, “Our goal is to create a spiritual home for our congregation that blends well with the surrounding neighborhood. MBTA demonstrated that it has the skills, experience, and flexibility to accomplish that.” 

Other projects that Thompson has worked on in Connecticut include master planning and development of Greens Farms Academy in Westport, restoration of Choate Rosemary Hall’s signature Seymour St. John Chapel in Wallingford, and planning and design of several projects for Miss Porter’s School in Farmington.