Planning commission approves conversion of vacant Norwich nursing home into 53 apartments
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Summary
The Norwich Planning Commission unanimously approved a site plan to convert the shuttered nursing home at 60 Crouch Avenue into 53 multifamily apartments, with conditions that allow staff to approve limited additional lighting if needed; the developer said it hopes to close next month and begin renovations this year.
The Norwich Planning Commission on March 17 approved a site development plan to convert the vacant nursing home at 60 Crouch Avenue into 53 multifamily dwellings.
Bill Sweeney, a land-use attorney representing New London Properties LLC, told the commission the adaptive-reuse proposal calls for 53 units — five two-bedroom units, 32 one-bedroom units and 16 studios — inside the existing two-story masonry building and that the project meets parking and zoning standards. "This nursing home was closed by the state of Connecticut in 2020 after a very, very serious COVID-19 outbreak at the facility, and it's remained vacant ever since," Sweeney said, arguing the property has fallen into disrepair and that conversion to housing is the most viable reuse.
Peter J. Springsteel, the project's architect, described interior changes to create units from former public areas, reuse of the existing sprinkler system and the addition of through-wall HVAC units with condensers located at the building's rear. He also said exterior brickwork will be retained and repointed where needed.
Commissioners focused questions on lighting, parking and on-site recreation. Sweeney said the site already has roughly 56 existing parking spaces and the conversion will provide 48, which he said meets zoning requirements for the 53 units. He added that the fire marshal required the team to remove some parking from the access drive for emergency access. On lighting, the developers said they will replace dated unshielded wall-mounted fixtures with full-cutoff LED wall packs intended to limit light spill into neighboring properties; Sweeney offered to have staff review and approve any additional safety lighting if necessary.
The application also includes a new walking trail, restored gazebo and picnic areas to satisfy usable recreation-space calculations under the commission's current zoning rules; Sweeney said the project provides roughly the required acreage for recreation given the parcel's 10-acre size and that most of the western forested area will remain undisturbed.
Planning staff (Dan) told commissioners his memo had been addressed by the applicant and recommended approval subject to standard conditions; he said requested waivers were not required under the new regulations. Cathy Wazeka moved to approve the application with the conditions summarized in staff's memo and with authority for staff to approve limited additional lighting if necessary; the motion was seconded and carried by unanimous voice vote.
Sweeney said approval would allow his client to proceed toward a closing next month and begin renovations this year. The commission did not attach unusual conditions beyond the normal site-plan requirements and the additional lighting review by staff.
The commission's decision was delivered at its March 17 meeting; next steps for the developer include final construction submissions and required building-permit reviews.
