NORWALK MUSEUM/NORWALK HISTORICAL COMMISSION
FEBRUARY 18, 2005
PUBLIC HEARING

ATTENDANCE: Carol Ann Falasca, Acting Chair; Ralph Bloom; Betty Booth; Marija Bryant; Gail Wall

STAFF: Susan Gunn, Curator

Ms. Falasca opened the public hearing at 7:08 p.m. and welcomed everyone to the meeting and thanked them for coming and showing interest in the issue.

Ms. Falasca explained that the purpose of this public hearing is to explore options to the demolition of the 4 buildings located at 130, 132, 132R and 134 Main Street. She further explained that the intent of the Historical Commission is to safeguard the history of the City of Norwalk. Part of the empowerment of the Historical Commission has been given to them by a demolition delay ordinance.

Ms. Falasca explained the public hearing process.

Mr. Todd Bryant, President of the Norwalk Preservation Trust said that these are remarkable buildings. He explained the mission of the Norwalk Preservation Trust. Pointing to photographs of the homes, he said that all of them have been victorianized. The home located at 130 Main Street is an early Greek revival home. Mr. Bryant noted the photograph of the original cooking fireplace as well as the baking ovens.

Mr. Bryant said that 132 Main Street has been really victorianized and noted the early fireplace. He said that 132r Main Street was very interesting and cold easily be an 18th century building. Mr. Bryant said that he believed that he believed that it belonged to a merchant who worked out of his home.

Mr. Bryant said that 134 Main Street has gingerbread trim on the porch which is similar to 28 Camp Street. He said that behind that was another early Greek revival home. He pointed out the original stair case and the original stained glass window.

Ms. Bryant read from the land records and said that the property belonged to Joseph Lockwood. In 1761 he had a homestead on Pudding Lane, which is the current Main Street location. The homestead escaped being burned by the British, because those activities took place further to the east.

The houses were probably built in the 1880’s; however, the land records for 134 Main Avenue state that the home was built in 1942, but that is not the case. That house was moved to that location from somewhere else.
The cluster of homes is unique and the back building may be one of the few 17th century structures remaining in Norwalk.

Ms. Gail Wall, President of the Norwalk Historical Society read a letter into the record written on behalf of the Norwalk Historical Society to the Norwalk Historical Commission. The letter said that the buildings have withstood the test of time and are in remarkable shape. Until a few weeks ago, the buildings were apartments but now they are being considered for demolition. They recommended re-using and preserving the structures and are opposed to the demolition of the buildings.

Ms. Falasca asked if the developers were present. They were not present.

Ms. Falasca invited the public’s participation.

Mr. Lee Levy said that he is an 18 year resident of Norwalk. He is an architect and has worked in many towns in Fairfield County and has taken structures worse than these and turned them into multifamily structures. He said that these buildings are perfect candidates to create historic condominium rather than demolish them and create barebones condominiums. He urged the commission to delay the demolition.

Ms. Emilianne Koehnlein said that she has lived in Norwalk her entire life and has seen Norwalk’s treasure demolished one by one. If these buildings are destroyed and thrown away, there will be nothing left to make the community special.

Ms. Terry Tylo said that she lived on Camp Street and a lot of the houses are part of the original town center. She said that she would like to see the developer preserve the structures or sell them to someone who wants an historic home.

Ms. Diane Lauricella stood near the picture of the home located at 132r Main Street and said that she lived there for a number of years. She asked that an alternative solution be sought and urged a delay of the demolition.

Ms. Lauricella said that she moved to Norwalk in 1981 and always lived in older buildings. She described the interior of the building and said that in the back there used to be a wonderful lawn and patio. She said that with proper renovations, the apartments could be affordable and attractive. Ms. Lauricella urged saving the buildings.

Ms. Laurel Lindstrom said that she does not want to see these houses taken down. The homes are quite incredible. Ms. Lindstrom said that if there is anyway to keep the houses as affordable units that would be the way to go.

Mr. Rich Henry said that he was here to support preserving the homes.

Ms. Marie DeLeo said that 134 Main Street used to be called 134 ½ Main Street and is probably the only original home left on the street. There is nothing else on Main Street that has historical significance.

Ms. DeLeo said that the property owner, Lane Crosby believed that women maintained the property better, so he always rented to single women. This was a haven in Norwalk and everyone helped each other. She said that she loved this home and everyone who visited her had to see her apartment as well as her neighbor Amy’s apartment.

Up until Mr. Crosby moved out in 1996, the houses were maintained. Ms. DeLeo said that she tried to get hold of Mr. Crosby today, but was unable to do so. She said that Mr. Crosby loved the buildings and only moved for health issues.

Mr. Leigh Grant said that the four houses should be preserved. In her vision, she said that she sees a balance of old in the same way that the City is diverse. The cost of a single unit of new housing is $300,000 for one bedroom. This year Norwalk will fall below the mandated 10% of affordable housing. Here are eight housing units that are already built.

Mr. George Genuario, III said that it is beautiful and that his grandfather owns property across the street. He said that the developer bought the property and now people are saying not to do that. There are other historic areas in Norwalk.

Mr. Genuario suggested that if people pool their money they can do what they want to do with their property. He said that he almost fell through the porch at 132 Main Street. He said that to get the houses up and going they are talking about six figures. The developer spent $1.8 million on the property. The pictures look nice, but they need a lot of work on the inside. Mr. Genuario said that if he bought the property, he should be able to do what he wants to with it. He suggested that a committee should seek funding to buy the houses.

Mr. Gregory Genuario said that he sees this as an opportunity for Norwalk. Leveling the homes and putting in new homes within walking distance of the school is great. He said that $1.8 million is a lot of money to pay for the property and he is opposed to keeping the buildings.

Ms. Tylo said that they are tearing down these buildings to make more units, but there is Avalon and other new buildings. She asked if the City had thought about the one school (Tracey School) where all of the children would go. Ms. Tylo said that if a developer wants to buy property, they just should not buy historic properties.

Ms. Koehnlein noted that there are strict regulations in other cities when people purchase historic properties.

Mr. Levy addressed the two men in favor of demolition and said that preserving and upgrading these houses would generate more money than demolishing and re-constructing the units.

Mr. Gordon Tully suggested ways to reward people who have historic houses such as tax credits or by relieving certain zoning constraints.

Mr. Ralph Bloom said that what is interesting is that the City has lost about 50 properties over a number of years. They were all single buildings and this is a cluster of homes. The buildings are unique because they form a cluster and the City’s proportion of affordable housing is on the decline. He said that the City is going to go below the mandated 10%.

Mr. William Krummel commented that this is a great turnout.

Mr. Carvin Hilliard said that he was here to support the Historic Commission and this worthy cause.

In response to a question, Ms. Falasca said that after 90 days, the developer could demolish the homes. Mr. Bryant said that the more people involved the better. Mr. Tully said that the first priority is to save the houses.

There were no further comments and the public hearing was closed at 8:06 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Rosemarie Lombardi
Telesco Secretarial Services

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