MARCH 5, 2003

CALL TO ORDER

The Chairman called the meeting to order at 7.30pm.

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ROLL CALL

III a) #3541 – Gerald Romano/Ernest Marsan – 215 Ely Avenue – 2 Lots

Mr. Romano tendered the certified mailing receipts to Mr. Greene. He stated that he is the owner of the property and has lived there for many years. The site meets all regulations for the c zone for a two family house; he added that all the departments have signed off on the application and the size of the lot is approximately 55 x 124.

Ms. DiMeglio asked how Mr. Romano felt about the request to waive the sidewalks. Mr. Romano replied that they are existing and explained they are stone curbs, but if they do not meet the requirements then they could install concrete ones.

Mr. McFadden stated that staff do not recommend waiver of curbs and sidewalks; they recommend that they do install them.

Mr. Briggs closed the hearing.

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REPORT OF THE SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE

• FRANCES DIMEGLIO CHAIRMAN

1. THAT A SURETY, IN AN AMOUNT TO BE DETERMINED BY THE STAFF, BE SUBMITTED TO GUARANTEE THE INSTALLATION OF THE REQUIRED IMPROVEMENTS; AND
2. THAT ALL REQUIRED SOIL EROSION AND SEDIMENTATION CONTROLS BE IN PLACE PRIOR TO ANY SITE WORK; AND
3. THAT ANY ADDITIONAL SOIL EROSION AND SEDIMENTATION CONTROLS, DEEMED NECESSARY BY THE STAFF, BE INSTALLED AT THE DIRECTION OF THE STAFF.

1. THAT A SURETY, IN AN AMOUNT TO BE DETERMINED BY THE STAFF, BE SUBMITTED TO GUARANTEE THE INSTALLATION OF THE REQUIRED IMPROVEMENTS; AND
2. THAT ALL REQUIRED SOIL EROSION AND SEDIMENTATION CONTROLS BE IN PLACE PRIOR TO ANY SITE WORK; AND
3. THAT ANY ADDITIONAL SOIL EROSION AND SEDIMENTATION CONTROLS, DEEMED NECESSARY BY THE STAFF, BE INSTALLED AT THE DIRECTION OF THE STAFF.

• TORGNY ASTROM, CHAIRMAN

1. THAT 1990 PLAN OF DEVELOPMENT RECOMMENDS "AMEND(ING) INDUSTRIAL ZONES TO ENUMERATE PERMITTED USES…." (PAGE 19); AND

Mr. Thomas stated that in the past there have been a number of problems with residential uses in light industrial zones and explained that once housing is built and people are living next to a factory or a commercial use they start complaining about the use.

Mr. Kydes stated that there is also a concern with regard to the infringement of rights on the light industrial zone owners.

Mr. Greene noted that this application comes with permission from the property owner.

Mr. Thomas stated that he would rather see the applicant come in for a zone change.

Mr. Greene pointed out that this is only industrial zone 2 in the city. He said if the regulation is amended in this way it only allows for housing on that side.

Mr. Kraus joined the meeting at 7.45pm.

There was some discussion about the possibility of using other zones.

Mr. Kydes expressed some concern that this would set a precedent.

** MR. KYDES SECONDED.

** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

1. TO IMPLEMENT THE PLAN OF DEVELOPMENT GOAL TO "PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN AN ATTRACTIVE PUBLIC PARK SYSTEM" (PAGE 52); AND

The meeting adjourned at 8pm and reconvened in the Planning and Zoning Conference Room (220) at 8.05pm.

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DISCUSSION OF PLAN OF CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT

Mr. Greene distributed a list of discussion items entitled Plan of Conservation and Development. He pointed out that at next week’s meeting there would be a list of the neighborhood comments.

Mr. Greene went through each item on the list and gave a brief description.

Ms. DiMeglio stated that she would like to use a word other than "valid" as stated in point one. Mr. Kydes suggested "relevant".

With reference to point 2, b (Industrial Uses) – Mr. Greene suggested that they take a look at what kind of Industry they want to attract.

Mr. Thomas said they still need land for auto repair, waste, scrap, oil storage etc.

Mr. Briggs said that some things that are considered industrial in today’s world are defined differently; he said they need to look at what is the new industry.

Mr. Greene added that this would be beneficial for a consultant to look at; as he/she would be able to say what is needed nationally and internationally.

Addressing point 3 c.(Retail) Mr. Greene asked specified what retail they have and put the question forward of what should they encourage.

Mr. Briggs said he would like to see a study done of the Westport Ave and Main Ave, not only retail but the whole concept of the street.

Mr. Astrom said if they want to give life to Norwalk’s center, they would need to focus on any additional retail so it draws people from out of town.

Mr. Kraus said given the Wall Street plan they should have the consultant look at how everything will work together.

Mr. Astrom stated that as a result of a Wall Street meeting, one of the prime objectives in that area is the parking.

Mr. Greene said that also mentioned during the Wall Street meeting was the branding; what is the brand name they are trying to expose Norwalk to.

Mr. Kydes stated that they have a beautiful waterfront and they should try to utilize it more. He added they could encourage people by not charging people for docking their boats.

Mr. Greene outlined the facilities in the harbor, free pump out etc. and said they needed to advertise this more.

Mr. Greene moved onto point 2 d (Housing) –and said they needed to look at their goal of affordable housing.

Mr. Briggs suggested it would be useful to look at the Stamford Affordable Housing Plan because it’s not just Norwalk it is an area problem. Mr. Briggs said he did not know what a consultant would be able to tell them about affordable housing; he added that if they did use a consultant they may need a specialist on this subject.

Mr. Greene put forth the question of leaving affordable housing out.

Mr. Kraus suggested they leave it in as it is more beneficial to have more things included in the plan than less; he further suggested that they look at the break down of the costs of the consultant to find out exact charges.

Mr. Briggs stated that they should leave affordable housing in the plan.

On point 2 e (Office) - asked if more office space is needed and where should it be put.

Mr. Kraus said there are two questions, where could office space go after Reed Putnam and also more strategically, do they want to encourage it anywhere else.

Mr. Greene asked if they wanted to leave the office issue in the plan. The Commissioners agreed that it should stay.

Mr. Greene explained point 2 f. (Open Space/Parks).

Regarding point 2. g (Specific Areas) Mr. Greene said there may be some additions to this taken from the neighborhood comments. He went through the areas listed giving specific details on what the Norwalk Harbor Management Commission plan looks at.

On point 2 h. (Vision Input/Charrette) Mr. Kraus asked at what point in the cycle did they want the consultant to go back to the public; he suggested it would be a better idea for the consultant to produce a half-baked plan, suggest some options and then to see what the community thinks.

Mr. Greene said addressed point 2. i (Plan Production) and said at this point they need a consultant. He said the plans need to be written in one consistent style.

Mr. Kraus stated that looking at the different neighborhoods in town, they should look at how to strengthen the community feelings in each one.

Ms. DiMeglio raised the point that the plan should be supplied in a software form that they city will own, that will be compatible and that they can edit.

Mr. Greene suggested adding a point 2 j to be titled as branding and asked if the Commission wanted this to be included. The Commission agreed that this was an important point to add.

Ms. DiMeglio moved back to point 2 d (Housing) and suggested they be more specific.

Mr. Kraus suggested a point to ask the consultant would be regarding traffic, what we can do with regard to congestion and traffic calming.

Mr. Briggs said what they want is an overall plan for Norwalk; housing needs over the next ten year. He further suggested that the first two points be deleted and replaced with Housing Needs.

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COMMENTS OF DIRECTOR

Mr. Greene said they had sent to everybody last year’s budget. He also said they would wait until the budget is finalized before sending out comments regarding the Board of Education.

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COMMENTS OF COMMISSIONERS

Ms. DiMeglio asked if a note could be attached to the information sent out specifying what it is.

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ADJOURNMENT

** MR. KYDES MOVED TO ADJOURN.

** MR. ASTROM SECONDED.

** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

The meeting was adjourned at 9.20pm.

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FUTURE MEETINGS

Subdivision Committee Tue 3.11.03 – 7.30pm – P& Z Conf Room, 2^nd Floor

Land Use Committee Tue 3.11.03 – 7.35pm – P&Z Conf Room, 2^nd Floor

Planning Commission Wed 4.2.03 – 7.30pm – P&Z Conf Room, 2^nd Floor

Respectfully submitted,

Kate Kye

Telesco Secretarial Services

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