Greenwich Country Day School wants to bring teachers and staff closer to campus with a proposal to build 20 new housing units on its Schwarz Campus — a plan that would require approval to place multifamily housing in a neighborhood zoned for single-family homes.

The proposal, now under review by the Planning and Zoning Commission, calls for an eight-unit apartment building and 12 townhouses on the school's 41.5-acre Schwarz Campus at 23 Fairfield Road. Commissioners toured the property July 1 as part of the review process.

If approved, the development would include a 2½-story apartment building, 12 prefabricated three-bedroom townhouses, a 2,853-square-foot expansion of the school's faculty day care center and 28 new parking spaces.

School officials say the project would help recruit and retain faculty while reducing commuter traffic into Greenwich.

Head of School Adam Rohdie told commissioners during a preliminary review in May that many employees travel from neighboring communities and that providing on-campus housing could shorten those commutes.

"This provides an unbelievable ability for me to attract and maintain teachers in town," Rohdie said.

Rohdie also said the school's annual payment in lieu of taxes to the town would increase if the project moves forward, though he did not provide an estimated amount.

Planning consultant Michele Cronin said the housing would be built within an already-developed portion of the campus, preserving surrounding open space. According to school representatives, the buildings would not be visible from Fairfield Road.

Planning and Zoning commissioners raised questions about whether the proposal provides enough public benefit to justify an exception in the RA-1 residential zone, which permits only single-family homes.

Commissioner Nick Macri questioned how the broader community would benefit from housing reserved for employees of a private school.

Commission Chair Margarita Alban said commissioners want additional information about where faculty members currently live and how much the proposed housing could reduce traffic.

Because the project requires a special permit, the commission must determine that it serves a public benefit before it can be approved.

The proposal remains in the pre-application stage, and no public hearing has been scheduled.

The school must submit a formal application before the Planning and Zoning Commission can continue its review and set a hearing date where residents will have an opportunity to comment on the project.