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| ZONING COMMISSION MINUTES |
CITY OF NORWALK
ZONING COMMISSION
May 29, 2008
I. CALL TO ORDER
Ms. Lightfield called the meeting to order at 6:04 pm
II. ROLL CALL
Mr. Greene took the roll call.
PRESENT: Jackie Lightfield, Chair; John Tobin; Larry Bentley; James White; Karen Spencer; Andrea Light; Adam Blank
STAFF: Mike Greene; Frank Strauch; Lindsay McCurran; Adam Carsen; Vladimir Mariano
III. REDEVELOPMENT - Project Managers discussed major projects with the Zoning
Commission
1. Reed Putnam Urban Renewal Project - John Burritt presented - This project
includes the Maritime Aquarium, which opened in 1988, along with the Spinnaker
Company which undertook the adaptive reuse of the former Lock Company building.
This project also includes the 14 acre former landfill site, designated for
conversion to Oyster Shell Park, opening up new opportunities for waterfront
access and passive recreation to Norwalk residents. Oyster Shell Park itself,
is part of the larger Heritage Park which includes walkways and bikeways linking
the waterfront resources of Reed Putnam with new development and cultural amenities
along West Avenue.
2. Wall Street - POKO - Munro Johnson presented - Revitalization of Wall Street
through the restoration of a residential base, and through the leveraging of
the City's land assets in the area, i.e. its parking lots. The Agency and designated
developers have developed a Land Disposition Agreement ("LDA") for
each project, but only in POKO's case has the LDA been approved and signed.
3. Wall Street - Head of Harbor (Redevelopment Parcel 3) - Munro Johnson presented
- implementing the master plan and working with zoning staff regarding what's
allowed. They are presently making progress.
4. West Avenue Redevelopment Project - Susan Sweitzer presented - The West Avenue
Corridor Redevelopment Plan proposes to preserve the character, scale and historic
context of the neighborhood by putting in place a plan to encourage renovation
of existing housing through various incentive programs; development of appropriate
infill housing; development of deed-restricted affordable housing; implementation
of traffic mitigation programs; and implementation of on-street parking controls.
5. Transit Oriented Development - Michael Moore presented - The promotion of
Transit-Oriented Development ('TOD') within the Transit Zone of South Norwalk,
the one half mile radius surrounding the South Norwalk Train Station. In addition
to spurring economic activity, the ('TOD') will deliver a pedestrian friendly,
walk able environment, increase housing and commercial choices and encourage
connectivity between both local and regional destinations.
6. Webster Street - Planning Study - John Burritt presented - The purpose of
the study was to assess the feasibility of making physical improvements to the
Webster Block and its immediate surroundings, addressing the parking area and
enhancement of its connections to the historic surroundings, and taking greater
advantage of its proximity to the South Norwalk Railroad station.
IV. ADJOURNMENT
** MS. LIGHTFIELD MOVED TO ADJOURN.
** MS. LIGHT SECONDED.
** MOTON PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:05 pm.
Respectfully submitted by Lindsay McCurran
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