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Planning Board recommends ZBA approval to convert former swim/tennis club into house of worship
Summary
The Planning Board unanimously recommended approval to the Zoning Board of Appeals for a special permit to redevelop the former Long Ridge Swim & Tennis Club at 2517 Long Ridge Road into a house of worship for the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church. EPB had unanimously approved a wetlands permit; applicants emphasized reduced intensity and restoration of impervious areas.
The Stamford Planning Board on April 8 voted unanimously to recommend that the Zoning Board of Appeals approve a special permit to convert 2517 Long Ridge Road — the former Long Ridge Swim & Tennis Club — into a house of worship for the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church.
Attorney Leonard Bremen and project engineer Brandon Hanfield presented the application on behalf of Stanford Meeting Hall Inc. Bremen said the proposal would remove impervious surfaces (including tennis courts), restore upland meadow and use the existing development footprint, describing the proposed church as a less intensive use than the former club. "We are removing both of the existing, impervious tennis courts and restoring those areas with native plantings, reducing the overall impervious surface and improving the environment," Bremen told the board.
Brandon Hanfield described site circulation, parking and stormwater improvements: the project proposes a 9,215‑square‑foot meeting hall (porch increases overall footprint), seating for 546, and 180 parking spaces where 137 are required; stormwater will be collected and treated to reduce peak flows and pollutants before discharge to wetlands. EPB had unanimously approved the wetlands permit on Jan. 16, 2025, and engineering staff issued favorable feedback in a March memo.
Planning Board members asked about visibility from Long Ridge Road and neighboring properties; Hanfield said existing vegetation and topography keep the redevelopment largely out of view. Ravi Subramanian moved to recommend the ZBA approve the special permit; Chet Salat seconded and the board carried the recommendation unanimously.
The board’s referral now goes to the Zoning Board of Appeals, which will take up the special permit application under its procedures.
