Mystic - The developers of the former Mystic Color Lab site have appealed the Stonington Planning and Zoning Commission's denial of its application to modify its approval to build 55 luxury condominiums.

The town was served with the appeal by Edgewood Mac LLC of Southport on Thursday.

Edgewood Mac can develop 55 condominiums on the site under terms of an approval obtained by the property's previous owner. But it was seeking approval of modifications which it said would make the project more attractive, marketable and a better fit with the character of Mystic. The commission unanimously rejected the application last month. A group of neighbors had opposed the Lighthouse Landing plan during the public hearing.

Commission members cited the size and mass of the plan as well as their desire to maintain the character of the mill as reasons for their opposition.

The buildings in the rejected proposal were 49 feet tall, 1 foot lower than the already approved plan. The gross floor area also would have been reduced from 177,373 square feet to 162,482 square feet.

While the original plan called for incorporating the mill's western wall and tower, the only parts not yet torn down, the new plan called for tearing them down because the firm said it was not structurally feasible to retain them.

The commission also invited Edgewood Mac to return and discuss the design options at a future meeting.

In the appeal, Edgewood Mac attorney Ted Ladwig of Pawcatuck wrote that the commission acted "illegally, arbitrarily and in abuse of its discretion" when it rejected the application for a master plan zone change, site plan approval and coastal area management review on Sept. 16. He also pointed out in the appeal that at a May 7 meeting, the commission unanimously had "expressed encouragement for the proposed plan." He added the commission's decision was based on "errors of fact and law."

Edgewood Mac is asking a judge to declare the denial null and void and order the commission to approve the application.

j.wojtas@theday.com

Twitter: @joewojtas