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MAY 14, 2002

CALL TO ORDER

Mr. Santella called the meeting to order at 8.25pm

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Mr. Santella read the public notices and stated that the hearing regarding the Village District (item b on the agenda) would be held in the Community Room after the report of the Land Use Committee.

Mr. Tarzia stated that he was representing the applicant and had brought his engineer, Mr. Prior, with him to answer any questions. He stated that their plans call for a subdivision of a 16000 (approximately) square foot lot. They are proposing to demolish the existing home and subdivide it into two lots. There will be separate driveways, sewers, water, utilities and drainage thereby enhancing the site.

Mr. Thomas asked for any questions or comments.

Attorney Richeichi, on behalf of the owner of the adjacent property was not in opposition to the application. He stated that the owner had a row of Hemlocks that are over forty years old and wanted to ensure that these would not be damaged in any way. They also had a concern with the drainage. In the rear part of the property there is some surface water that is attracting mosquitoes.

Ms. Tard, a neighbor stated that there is a large Maple tree on the boundary (on her side) which has a lot of branches and she wanted no damage done to the tree.

Mr. Tarzia replied firstly to the question of the Hemlocks. He had no problem with them and could not see any reason why they may be harmed and would take all precautions to ensure their safety. He handed the subject of the drainage over to his engineer, Mr. Prior who stated that they would not be opposed to re-grading or adjusting the catch basin so that the situation may be resolved.

Regarding the Maple tree, Mr. Tarzia said that the branches were hanging well over on to his property and there may be a question of trimming them. Mr. Thomas stated that care should be taken during construction but this was not the correct arena for this type of discussion and gave suggestions as to whom Ms. Tard may contact regarding the preservation of her tree.

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REPORT OF THE SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE

a) Action on item III. a

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, AND
4. THAT A CONNECTICUT LICENSED ENGINEER CERTIFY THAT THE REQUIRED IMPROVEMENTS HAVE BEEN INSTALLED TO CITY STANDARDS.

** MR. KYDES SECONDED.

** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

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REPORT OF THE LAND USE COMMITTEE

1. 8-24 Referral – Norwalk Land Trust – 21 Lakewood Drive – Potential acquisition of James Donahue property adjacent to Pond.

Mr. O’Connor stated that this was reviewed and no action was taken.

2. Zoning Commission referral - #3-02R – Tippecanoe Canine Center – Proposed amendment to Section 118-700 to allow animal care centers by special permit in Industrial #1 zones.

1. TO IMPLEMENT THE PLAN OF DEVELOPMENT GOAL TO "AMEND INDUSTRIAL ZONES TO ENUMBERATE PERMITTED USES" (P.19) AND

1. Zoning Commission referral - #4-02R – Norden Place LLC – Proposed amendments to Section 118-711 to allow offices to occupy up to 35% of existing building in Restricted Industrial zones.

** MR. O’CONNOR MOVED TO ACCEPT THE RESOLUTION THAT THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE BUILDING ZONE REGULATIONS AS SHOWN ON A CERTAIN DOCUMENT ENTITLED "#4-02R – NORDEN PLACE LLC – PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO SECTION 118-711 TO ALLOW OFFICES TO OCCUPY UP TO 35% OF EXISTING BUILDINGS IN RESTRICTED INDUSTRIAL ZONES" AND DATED APRIL 11, 2002, BE APPROVED.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT NOTICE OF THIS ACTION BE FORWARDED TO THE NORWALK ZONING COMMISSION.

** MR. KYDES SECONDED.

** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

2. DEP/AC referral – Covelee Association – 20 Norport Drive – Retain existing docks and dredge approx. 2575 cu.ft of sediment – Report and recommendation

** MR. O’CONNOR MOVED THAT THE STAFF BE DIRECTED TO CONTACT THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION COMMENTS REGARDING COVELEE ASSOCIATION, 20 NORPORT DRIVE, TO RETAIN EXISTING DOCKS AND DREDGE APPROXIMATELY 2,575 CU. FT OF SEDIMENT. THAT WE HAVE NO COMMENTS.

** MR. KYDES SECONDED.

** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

3. Town of Darien referral – Subdivision application #602 – Mary Lowman – 366-376 Brookside Road – 5 lot subdivision in R-2 zone (2 acre minimum).

At this point (9.50pm) the meeting was moved to another room. Mr. Favano and Ms. Katz left at this point also.

PUBLIC HEARING (CONT’D)

The meeting reconvened at 8.55pm in the Community Room.

b. Village District amendment to Plan of Development

PLAN OF CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT – VILLAGE DISTRICT AMENDMENT TO THE PLAN OF DEVELOPMENT – PUBLIC HEARING IN THE COMMUNITY ROOM

Ms. Wilson gave a presentation and outlined the amendment process. She stated that she had received several letters from SWRPA, The Harbor Commission and Mayor Knopp all in favor of the proposed amendments.

Mr. Thomas asked the public for any comments or questions.

Mr. Kapola asked for the parameters of the district in relation to I95. Ms. Wilson showed on the map exactly where the district would be.

Ms. Linstrom stated that she was in favor of this and she thought this was a good opportunity to include other areas in the plan. She suggested Smith Street be included and it be extended as far as the harbor. She noted that an area that had been left out was the green.

Mr. Wagman commended the Commission and said it was a great step forward for Norwalk and that this proposal had come about because of people’s concern.

Ms. Bryant said that the Village District is moving in the right direction. She had some questions and asked if the district is an overlay district or a replacement. Mr. Thomas told her that it was an overlay and the restricted business zones would stay in place. She also wanted the commission to consider Smith Street as part of the Village District area.

Mr. Flattery was in favor of the district but had some concerns regarding the criteria. He suggested changes be made in the first paragraph of the criteria to have the word consistent be used instead of comply (second line) and gave an explanation.

Ms. Lauricella was in support of the idea of having an amendment. She quoted an article in the Norwalk Hour by Mike Greene and Mayor Knopp. She suggested that Smith Street be added to the district.

Mr. Brown was in favor and suggested that the Smith Street area be included.

Mr. Bryant wanted to commend all involved. One of the things he had discovered was that the Zoning Commission does not have the tools to consider the historic character of anything in Norwalk. This will allow them to do that. He suggested that Smith Street be added. He questioned the architectural review board and wanted to know who would be chosen.

Mr. Barbiss supported the amendment.

Ms. Dobson said it was a welcomed direction for Norwalk.

Mr. Kapola encouraged the district to go as far as the cemetery and to consider the Mill Pond and Ludlow Square.

Mr. O’Connor asked what the costs would be to the department regarding public access. Ms. Wilson replied that it would be handled on a case by case basis

The Chairman concluded the public hearing.

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APPROVAL OF MINUTES

** MR. KYDES SECONDED.

** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

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COMMENTS OF THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR

No discussion.

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COMMENTS OF COMMISSIONERS

No discussion.

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ADJOURNEMENT

** MR. SANTELLA MOVED TO ADJOURN

** MR. KYDES SECONDED.

** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

The meeting ended at 9.45pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Kate Kye

Telesco Secretarial Services

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