PUBLIC HEARING
NOVEMBER 1, 2006

ATTENDANCE: Marilyn Robinson, Chair; Carol Ann Falasca, Vice Chair;
Ralph Bloom; Marija Bryant; Betty Booth; Debbie Mathies; Kathryn Martino; William Krummel; Gail Wall

93 EAST AVENUE

Ms. Robinson called the public hearing to order at 7:43 p.m. She explained that they were here to address the proposed demolition of 93 East Avenue. Ms. Robinson read the letter that was sent to Mr. Handrinos explaining the reason for the request to impose the 90-day delay on the demolition of the structure.

Ms. Robinson explained that this is an opportunity for the people to express their reviews regarding the possible demolition of 93 East Avenue. She said that no decision will be made tonight.

Mr. Todd Bryant, President of the Norwalk Preservation Trust gave a history of the building. He said that it was built around 1750-1760 and was heavily damaged during the burning of Norwalk.

The Grummans rebuilt the house and sold it to the ST. John-Hoyt family. In 1870 the house was doubled in size. It was sold to the Nagy Brothers in 1925 who sold it to the Ericksons who turned it into apartments. They in turn sold it to two sisters who owned the property until their death and then Mr. Handrinos purchased the property.

Mr. Bryant said that he went to the State Historical Council today to try and find a solution to keeping the building and achieving the owner’s goals. They voted to ask for assistance from the Attorney General to prevent the demolition. Mr. Bryant said that Mr. Handrinos has done a wonderful job with the Inn.

Ms. Laurel Lindstrom, 20 Raymond Terrace, President of Eastern Norwalk Neighborhood Association said that they support saving the home. She said that it was interesting to hear about the number of owners. As a neighborhood association they also support the property owner and suggested the possibility of restoring the home and using the rooms as a bed and breakfast and office space.

Ms. JoAnne Jackson, 450 Newtown Avenue said that she hoped that Mr. Handironos and the powers that be can work to save the house.

Ms. Maria Handrinos, daughter of the owner said that she was born and raised in Norwalk. She said that her parents purchased the business in 1985 and has watched it flourish under their leadership. The voice of Norwalk demands that they expand. They are constantly over-booked. She said that their attempts to be reasonable have been met with dismissal and it is insulting. Ms. Handrinos said that this expansion needs to be supported on their terms because they serve Norwalk.

Mr. Peter Wien, 24 High Street said that in looking at the photos appreciates the building, but also believes in the right to private property and a sense of community. He said that the Inn is a part of Norwalk. Mr. Wien spoke about the kindness shown to his Mother by the Handrinos family and his gratitude. He said that he hoped both sides could come to an agreement to make the building work as the Inn.

Ms. Diane Lauricella, 9 Outer Road said that she was part of the original group to save this building a number of years ago. She said that it is well known that you can make a pretty penny in embracing an historical building. She said that she would like to help the Handrinos make this work economically and be able to build a third story on the current building. Ms. Lauricella said that it is not fair to require special permits to add a third story.

Mr. Bruce Kimmel, 9 Toilsome Avenue, said that we could turn this home into an incredible asset. This part of the country is old, relative to other parts of the country. He said that we need to have a long term view of what we want the City to look like. He said that we have to take care of our long, diverse history. He said that he was sure a win-win situation could be worked out in this case.

Mr. David McCarthy, 7 Bonny Brook Road said that friends visiting from Ohio said that Norwalk looked like the 4th of July because of the classical architecture of its homes. He said that he believed that the solution to this problem can be found through re-working zoning restrictions in return for the owner restoring the structure.

Ms. Jill Montesanto, 20 Stonybrook Road read a statement on behalf of Ed Cozette of the Norwalk Historical Society. He said that re-using the building will create a unique bed and breakfast for Norwalk.

Mr. Tod Bryant said that after the meeting in Hartford this morning, he and Ms. Robinson wee asked to participate in further meetings where they will try to come up with workshops for 2007. The theme was connecting history and tourism. Historic tours are the fastest growing tours in the State.

Mr. Charles Harris, 74 Newtown Avenue said that he sees the house as a community resource and would like to see it made into a focal point. He said that Lockwood Mathews Mansion was barely preserved from the wrecking ball.

Ms. Ellen Tully, 6 Walnut Avenue said that she was in favor of preserving the building. She said that she comes from a part of Virginia that depends heavily on historical tourism.

Mr. Chris Handrinos, owner 93 East Avenue, said that he would like to ask a few questions. He asked what is the relationship and connection to the Norwalk Historical Society and the Preservation Trust. He also asked which of the Commissioners are associated or members of those groups. He asked the Commissioners, if based upon those associations, and prior actions they could reach an unbiased decision.

Mr. Handrinos asked the Commissioners what action they plan to take after this public hearing. He said that since the hotel purchased the property, it has been tired up in red-tape. It has been hard and expensive for a small family business.

Mr. Handrinos said that they are having a hard time understanding how those who have not invested one penny can dictate how the property should be managed. He said that it seems to be an unofficial, but very expensive eminent domain in reverse.

Mr. Handrinos told the Commissioners that some of you chose to speak to the media instead of to him. He said that the Norwalk Inn is being denied the opportunity to make the most of the property. In many cases, his personal character has been attacked. Some have said that his lack of character is linked to his Greek Heritage. He said that he has lived in Norwalk for over 40 years and takes second place to no one for his respect for Norwalk. Mr. Handrinos said that he pursued the American Dream and is proud of his personal and professional reputation.

Mr. Handrinos said that respect for the past can not be absolute. Good intensions are a poor substitute and must a balance of history, conservation and economic necessity.

Mr. Scott Kirklendahl, 23 River Drive said that he was in favor of preserving 93 East Avenue. He said that this was a similar situation as tearing down a staircase from the World Trade Center. It is the same as tearing down the legacy from an historical event (Burning of Norwalk).

Ms. Claudia Stuart, 25 Eversley Avenue said that she feels strongly about saving the building. She said that as she got older, she got to see the beauty of the house. A number of years ago, there was a slide show presented about East Avenue. She said that she would love to hear what was said about 93 East Avenue.

Ms. Eileen Harrington, said that she taught a course, “Norwalk Visible History’. She said that there was high interest in the course. She said that she hoped that the conversation would benefit everyone.

Mr. Paul Mindel, 2 Colonial Place said that he hoped they would come to a solution that would benefit both sides. There needs to be a balance of economic benefit along with historic preservation. He said that he remembered when they bulldozed the hill behind the building and the neighbors organized and put a stop to further bulldozing.

Mr. Mindel said that there were a number of people here who are interested in preserving the building. He said that no one is against economic expansion. He said that he was, however, against adding a third story to the building, because it would block his views.

Mr. Matthew DeVito, Lighthouse Lane said that he works at the Norwalk Inn and sees the demand for expansion. As a business he feels they have the right to expand their business on their own terms. When the Town needs property, they use eminent domain, but when a business needs property, that becomes a problem. As a private property owner, they want to do what they want with their own property.

Mr. Gordon Tulley, 6 Walnut Avenue, said that he did not agree that the property owner can do what they want with their property. He said that this same battle is being acted out all over the country. Running a Bed and Breakfast is not the same as running a hotel; they each bring in different clientele and are maintained differently.

Mr. Tulley said that Silvermine Tavern is a good example. All historical B&B’s are located in quiet neighborhoods and this building is on a major highway. If Mr. Handrinos is going to participate in fair negotiations, he has to realize the issues that he has to face and the historic community has to address. He said that adding a third story to the building would be illegal and for that to happen, the property would have to be re-zoned.

The incentive for historic structures is needed urgently. If this is not done, Mr. Tulley said that he did not see how they could save other historical buildings. Realistic negotiations have to take place that will lead to a friendly compromise.

Ms. Diane CeCe, Olmstead Place, said that until recently, she was employed by the Norwalk Inn. Hotel rooms are desperately needed and it is unfair that Mr. Handrinos is not being considered for expansion. Their hall is used for a number of Town events and is home for many civic organizations. It is also where rescue people stay during disasters. The Norwalk Inn should be considered an in-town business. There should be a viable solution to this and the owners should be eligible to expand their business as they see fit.

Mr. Frank DeMilo, said that everyone wants the Inn to expand. It is on the register and everyone has to consider the importance of the property. There are regulations and restrictions that were placed on the variance that was in place when the property was purchased. Mr. DeMilo said that he would love to see the Inn expand, but it is important to save what they have left.

Mr. Handrinos said that he was surprised that it seems to everyone here that this is the first time this has been talked about. He said that the Historical Commission and the Preservation Trust have done everything possible to stop this. He said that he has made a number of efforts and offers in the past. When no one would talk to him about saving the building, he called the Mayor. At that meeting, the people were parading in front of the building.
Mr. Handrinos said that it is not the issue of what to do here. He said that everyone was coming here like it was the first time hearing about the house. The issue has been on the table for the last five years. Mr. Handrinos said that he has tried to resolve the issue. He said that he received a proposal from the Preservation that was paid for by the taxpayers to turn the building in to a B&B. He said that it was not worth the paper it was written on.

Mr. Handrinos said that he expected the Chair to answer the questions he submitted in the beginning of the public hearing. He said that the people who demonstrated in front of the building are not unbiased and should not be part of the decision making.

Mr. Handrinos said that he has been insulted in the paper as being Immigrants. He asked Mr. Bryant why the study was not presented tonight. Mr. Bryant replied that this was not an appropriate forum. Ms. Handrinos asked when her father would get a response to his questions.

Ms. Lauricella told Ms. Robinson that she did not have to respond.

Ms. Wall said that she had a letter for the record from Senator Duff urging preservation of the 93 East Avenue home.

Ms. Handrinos said that it would be an outrage if it were true, that there was a conflict of interest.

Ms. Robinson thanked everyone for coming to the public hearing and said that there would be no vote taken by the Commission. The Commission is empowered by the State of Connecticut to impose a 90-day delay.

Ms. Robinson said that some of the Commissioners belong to the Norwalk Preservation Trust and to the Norwalk Historical Society. All of those organizations have people appointed to be on those commissions. There is no conflict of interest to be on those commissions.

Ms. Robinson reiterated that there would be no vote taken tonight. The purpose of the meeting was to give people the opportunity to speak either for or against the demolition. The goal is to reach a mutually agreeable solution.

Ms. Robinson said that they were not considering any alternative plans and that is not under the prevue of the Historical Commission. This public hearing shows the elected officials and the Commission that there is a big group interested in preserving historical structures in Norwalk.

Ms. Handrinos said that the Norwalk Historical Society is a private group. It is not an official appointed commission. The Historical Commission is responsible for making unbiased decisions.

There were no further comments and the public hearing was closed at 9:15 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Rosemarie Lombardi
Telesco Secretarial Services

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