Norwalk proposed change to single-family home zones fuels outrage
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The recommendation to allow two-family homes to be constructed in some neighborhoods that are currently zoned for single-family homes has been the biggest sticking point in a draft rewrite of zoning regulations that was unveiled last month. This is the city’s first major zoning rewrite in decades.
“Some of us invested into a single-family zone and we expect it stay that way,” resident Rich Bonenfant said during the final district zoning meeting on May 24.
Director of Planning and Zoning Steven Kleppin said they will continue to host more community meeting leading up to the public hearings on June 21 and 28. At these hearing residents will be able to voice their concerns to the Planning and Zoning Commission.
“Keep in mind that the draft map is a draft map; it is not the final map,” Kleppin said. “It’s the staff initial set of recommendations on things. I expect the map will get revise prior to the end of June for sure.”
During the district A meeting, Kleppin outlined some of the changes including changing areas around the Norwalk Hospital from a single family zone to a CD-3 zone which allows, but does not require, two-family homes.
“One of the big drivers and one of the big employers for the city is Norwalk Hospital, so we think the more opportunities we can to provide housing in and around the hospital for doctors, nurses and all kinds of tech staff,” Kleppin said. “The more walk-able we can make that area around the hospital the better that will be for folks.”
The CD-3 zone proposed has upset many residents, but Kleppin said this change if adopted would be incremental and market driven.
“Change is scary and I understand that that,” Kleppin said. “We think these changes are incremental changes. They are not happening overnight.”
In areas that allow two-family homes, “less than 50 percent of those neighborhoods have two-family houses on them,” he said “So what’s happening is that the market is dictating what is happening on those properties, not zoning.”
Last week Mayor Harry Rilling said he was “uncomfortable” with the changes regarding single-family home zones.
“Upfront, I want to be perfectly clear that I am uncomfortable with some of the recommendations and disagree with the level of density being proposed,” Riling said in a statement on May 18. “In particular, I am concerned about where some single-family areas are being proposed as two-family and where some multifamily zones are more prominent across the city.”
Environmental, historic concerns
One resident, Elsa Peterson Obuchowski raised concerns about environmental precautions included in the new zoning plan, citing a story about flooding and street levels publish in The Hour earlier this week.
Kleppin said Norwalk’s Planning and Zoning and the Connecticut Institute for Resilience and Climate Adaptation are working closely together.
“We are well aware of the changes they’re talking about and they are well aware of the proposed zoning, and we are taking about how those two work hand in hand and impacts from that how it gets tied into our code,” Kleppin said.
Another concern raised was the historical preservation of Norwalk buildings and landmarks. Tod Bryant, president of the Norwalk Preservation Trust, said he is concerned that the proposed zoning lacked historical preservation, citing two recently approved projects — the expansion of Marriott SoNo Residence Inn and an apartment complex development at 1 Cemetery St.
“I think there should be more requirements for developers who are asking to build something that will impact a property either in the historic national registered, state registered or the city historic research inventory,” Bryant said.
Kleppin said historical preservation codes have been “on the radar.”
Nicol Ayers, Common Council member for District A, commented on how the recent Waypointe development has blocked a lot of the natural light on surrounding properties including the historical Bethel AME Church.
“People are sick and tired of multi-story building that are taking natural light out of their homes,” Ayers said. “There is a historic church that sits on the corner of Academy Street, Bethel AME Church, the oldest Black church in the city. There is no natural light there anymore because Waypointe is so high.”
The Planning and Zoning Commission recently approved a text amendment change regarding properties abutting historical properties, to apply for special permits on height, parking or other exceptions.
All comments from the district and community meetings will be complied and reported to the commission. Residents may also submit questions and comments for planning and zoning at their website.
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