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Exploring Merritt 7: A deep dive into this growing area of Norwalk
The northern section of Norwalk, near the Wilton town line, is home to the largest corporate office park in Fairfield County, thousands of residents, connections to major roadways, a small train station, and local businesses. Looking at a map, viewers can see Route 7 on the left, Main Avenue on the right, Grist Mill Road…
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Norwalk Planning and Zoning Commission approves plan for apartments, retail at former YMCA Site
A new mixed-use development, featuring more than 200 apartments, a first-floor restaurant, and amenity spaces was approved at the site of the former YMCA site on West Avenue. Randy Salvatore, the owner of RMS, which is developing the site, said that this is their latest project in Norwalk, which include spots like Hotel Zero Degrees…
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Norwalk approves plans for 200 apartments at train station
In the latest phase of Spinnaker’s redevelopment efforts around the South Norwalk Train Station, the Norwalk Planning and Zoning Commission approved plans for 200 apartments, retail and restaurant space, and a public courtyard at 15 Chestnut St. As a part of the project, Spinnaker will be taking over some of the area currently being used…
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Creating Affordable Home Ownership: Ideas from Southwest Connecticut
Across southwest Connecticut, communities are exploring and advocating for ways to increase the amount of affordable homeownership opportunities, as the region deals with an affordable housing shortage. A 2022 report from the Partnership for Strong Communities found that housing costs in Connecticut are the 10th highest in the country. Almost 25% of renters in Fairfield County are…
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Norwalk Independent Party Nominates Slate of Candidates
For the first time in more than 20 years, the Norwalk Independent Party Town Committee held a nomination convention on Thursday, August 17 for the November election. “I’m proud to say that this spring we reformulated the Norwalk Independent Town Committee, and we are looking to grow,” party chair Lisa Brinton said. The party nominated…
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CTDOT Unveils Recommended Plans for Route 7/15 Project
Connecticut Department of Transportation officials and their consulting team unveiled their recommendation for the Route 7/15 project, which they say will improve traffic operations in the area, address safety issues, and be in line with the Merritt Parkway’s historical features. Residents had the chance to see—and comment on—what the state is calling “Alternative 26” at…
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Open Doors Gets Approval for Five Townhouses on Berkeley Street
Open Doors, which runs a shelter in Norwalk, received approval earlier this month to build five townhouses at 24 Berkeley Street for low-income residents, who make below 30% of the area median income. “We really designed this project to serve really low income families who are living in or working in Norwalk,” Michele Conderino, executive…
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Funding for Norwalk River Valley Trail opens up new options for residents
For Nicholas Pappas, biking to his job in Wilton from his home in Norwalk isn’t always the easiest trip. “The way to get to Wilton is definitely more designed for cars,” he said. “Sharing the road with cars is something that I try to avoid, especially if I’m ending up on Main Avenue or what…
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Norwalk CFO issues early debt and budget warning
Just a few days after the city received an AAA bond rating—the highest possible rating from the financial industry—Norwalk’s Chief Financial Officer Henry Dachowitz issued an early warning about the city’s debt for next year. “We’ll see what the [revaluation of properties] does and with the values of the grand list, but realistically, we are…
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Norwalk city officials continue to work through tax bill inaccuracies
Now that the extended tax collection deadline of August 7 has passed, city officials are evaluating what else needs to be done to address the errors that happened in this year’s tax bills. According to a July 21 statement from the city, about 300 residents who qualify for the Elderly or Disabled Tax Credit Program…
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Norwalk’s Planning and Zoning Commission Reviews a New ‘Scaled Back’ Zoning Map
After multiple public hearings and discussions, city staff unveiled a new proposed zoning map that has “scaled back the upzoning significantly, while still providing some areas for soft growth.” Previously, the initial proposal out of the zoning rewrite called for 6,685 parcels—out of 21,917 parcels in the city—to be upzoned. Staff wrote in a memo…
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Norwalk Planning and Zoning approves plans for South Norwalk school
NORWALK, Conn. — The Planning and Zoning Commission voted Wednesday to approve a special permit for the construction of the new South Norwalk Elementary School, as well as funding for potential improvements to drainage in nearby roadways. Many of the Commissioners and members of the public who spoke noted that bringing a school to South…
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Norwalk P&Z Commissioners continue to discuss proposed upzoning
NORWALK, Conn. — After hearing from the public’s thoughts on the proposed zoning updates, the Planning and Zoning Commission started its own discussion two weeks ago, particularly focused on the proposal to allow two-family homes in some neighborhoods that are currently zoned for single-family houses. While members voiced split opinions at that time, two members—Ana…
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Norwalk approves third cannabis retailer
NORWALK, Conn. — Shangri-La received approval for its second cannabis retail location in Norwalk on Wednesday, making it the third—and final—retail location in the city. Previously the applicant was approved to open a retail site at 430 Main Ave. This site, which will be located at 71-75 Connecticut Ave., across from Lowe’s, will also include…
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Proposed plans for former YMCA unveiled
NORWALK, Conn. — Members of Norwalk’s Planning and Zoning Commission got their first look Wednesday at a proposed plan to redevelop the site of the former YMCA on West Avenue. “The project is to demolish the structures that exist on the site and redevelop the site with a new, six-story structure, containing 204 apartments, associated…
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Norwalk Planning and Zoning Commission weighs in on upzoning
After listening to Norwalk citizens weigh in for two straight hearings, the Planning and Zoning Commission started its discussion of the proposed zoning changes—which divided many members. The Commission focused its discussion primarily around the proposal which drew the most pushback from the public, one that would rezone some single-family neighborhoods to allow for two-family…
