By Patricia T. Conlin
NORWALK, Conn. – I think that the mosque issue has tainted the Zoning Commission’s behavior for years to come here in Norwalk. The Zoning Commission is obviously running “scared” and those unfortunate enough to stumble upon its path will suffer the consequences such as we have.
Norwalk taxpaying residents are clearly being “thrown to the wolves,” the wolves being the billionaire out-of-state developers such as Brightview/shelter development. In the past, developers of substance would have walked away, sensing the unwelcome attitude of the community. The commissioners would have then, after receiving significant, valid opposition from neighbors, voted against the developers and in favor of the neighbors, allowing the developers to either walk away or sue; few ever sued and residents temporarily rested, feeling safe once again from business intrusion.
I would personally never have expected Harry Rilling to have voted against Brightview at Norwalk, the senior center planned for the Sons of Italy property, not since the scathing remarks recently published by Republican Town Committee Chairman Art Scialabba appeared in the press. After all, Harry hopes to be a mayoral candidate so he quickly put his tail between his legs and tried to prove Scialabba wrong by voting in favor of this over-sized development. But I would never have expected the entire commission vote to be unanimous in its support of Brightview — that presented as a legitimate “red flag” in my eyes (better yet, a hen house full of yellow chickens!). And to have immediately voted without the opposition present was the ultimate act of repugnance !
Norwalk is fast becoming glutinous in that it is now beginning to”eat its own,” so to speak, its own being the residential, taxpaying backbone of this city. No neighborhood can any longer consider itself safe from their gutless, ravenous behavior. With the likes of special permits that allow intrusions such as the mosque and public driving ranges and hideous, over-sized businesses such as Brightview in your backyard, the commission has pretty much all it needs to invade any residential zone.
In answer to what do I think happened? I’m trying desperately not to think evil thoughts and thus submit the previous comments with tongue in cheek, possibly reserving future comments for another time.
Respectfully submitted,
Patricia T. Conlin
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