FLB Law Secures Key Approvals for Westport Office Complex Medical Conversion

The Planning and Zoning Commission approved a significant transformation for the two-building office complex at 55-57 Greens Farms Road, allowing the inclusion of medical office space in one of the buildings. This decision, facilitated by FLB Law’s Rick Costantini, who presented it to the P&Z Commission on behalf of the owner, 1735 Ashley, LLC, marks the removal of restrictions that had been in place for nearly 45 years.

In response to the shifting landscape caused by the pandemic, which has seen a decrease in demand for traditional office space and an increase in the need for medical office space, the P&Z Commission approved a series of applications. These include a text amendment, map amendment, special permit, and site plan that permits the owner to market one of the buildings for medical office use.

Key among these approvals was removing the property from Design Development District #4 and placing it in Design Development District #3, which would allow medical use tenants.  Another significant approval was a text amendment to allow the P&Z Commission some flexibility to accept a valet parking plan in place of additional parking spaces.  This amendment was necessary to allow for the conversion to medical office use because the existing property was nonconforming as to parking and did not meet parking requirements for the proposed conversion since medical office use requires more parking spaces than traditional office space.

The other text amendments involved minor adjustments to the existing zoning regulations to satisfy concerns of the P&Z Commissioners related to how the proposed changes would impact the neighborhood. The site plan was the final piece of the approval puzzle.

FLB Law played an instrumental role in this process, providing legal guidance and representation. The firm’s efforts were crucial in navigating the legal complexities, devising creative solutions to concerns, and ensuring the project's approval.

This decision by the P&Z Commission paves the way for a significant and necessary shift in the use of the office complex, reflecting broader societal trends and local needs.

Read more about this in the CT Insider.