Greenwich's Planning and Zoning Commission voted 5-0 on Wednesday, Sept. 30 to allow 150 seats at the train station restaurant space. The previous limit was 112.

The 5,000-square-foot anchor space sits at the corner of Steamboat Road and Railroad Avenue inside Greenwich Crossing, the $30 million mixed-use redevelopment at 2–34 Railroad Ave. No restaurant tenant has been announced.

GP Holding Company Inc., the applicant, told the commission it could not attract a nationally prominent operator at the original seat count. Michele Cronin, representing the company, said the owner had been unable to secure a tenant at 112 seats. Restaurant leasing consultant Joyce Storm said the goal is to find a strong operator with the capital to build out and run the space, not necessarily the most expensive restaurant in town.

First Selectman Fred Camillo appeared via Zoom to push for approval. He argued that train commuters already arrive parked and that many downtown visitors walk, reducing the parking burden. Camillo said the town risked losing potential tenants without the additional seats.

The commission first heard the application in August but left it open, directing the applicant to work with Greenwich Police and the Department of Public Works on a passenger drop-off plan. Two potential drop-off locations were evaluated, Greenwich Free Press reported, but neither won support because of concerns about double parking, queuing and requiring mobility-impaired patrons to cross Railroad Avenue.

To address parking, the applicant will re-stripe the former Hopscotch lot from 36 self-park spaces to as many as 57 valet-attended spaces. Parking will be free with validation, and the lot will be managed starting at 10 a.m. daily. Employee parking at the Greenwich Plaza garage will increase from 9 to 20 dedicated spaces, with 11 reserved for restaurant staff.

Traffic consultant John Canning presented a survey of 33 Greenwich Avenue retailers showing about 94% close by 6 p.m., while peak restaurant demand hits around 8 p.m. on Saturdays. Cronin said the town's traffic consultant, BETA Group, and the DPW Traffic division both reviewed the analysis and found no projected traffic issues.

Not every commissioner was reassured. Commissioner Dennis Yeskey voted yes but warned that the bottom of Greenwich Avenue is already congested.

"I'm worried about a giant traffic jam at the bottom of the Avenue and spilling into Railroad Avenue," Yeskey said.

Commissioner Mary Jenkins said double-parking and illegal parking maneuvers are already common at Greenwich Crossing, even with current vacancies in the building.

The approval carries conditions. No special events are allowed during the first 12 months or during the Chamber of Commerce's annual July sidewalk sales. Any other special events require approval from P&Z Director Pat LaRow. After 12 months, the applicant must return to the commission with data on parking utilization, queuing on Railroad Avenue, accident reports, seat utilization, delivery volume and an expanded traffic study.

Across Railroad Avenue, a sign at the former MacDuff's at 99 Railroad Ave. indicates Le Sauvage Greenwich plans to open this fall. Kneads Bakery Café has signed a lease for a separate space at Greenwich Crossing and expects to open in late spring 2027.