*UPDATE AS OF 11-15-23* Draft modifications to the regulations update are substantially complete and the most up to date plan is now posted online along with the updated interactive parcel map. https://www.norwalkct.gov/3445/Zoning-Regulations

*UPDATE AS OF 9-25-23* Modifications have been made, and some are still being considered, as the P&Z Commission and City staff continue to meet and discuss the plan. For the most up-to-date information please always visit the City webpage for this project at https://www.norwalkct.gov/3445/Zoning-Regulations and stay informed by joining and following the Save Norwalk's Neighborhood facebook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/6588402404517972/

An urgent appeal to Mayor Harry Rilling and Norwalk P&Z Commission to:

1. Postpone any further formal action on the the Zoning Regulations Update
   1. Conduct additional public forums instead and provide more easily understood information for the general public on how zone and building regulation changes will impact their property and neighborhood..
2. Eliminate the up-zoning of single family zones
   1. Many neighborhoods have previously been upzoned. Hit the pause button and wait until you can evaluate the short term impacts of all the current development and those in the pipeline, and the longer term impact of the upzoning of East Norwalk & South Norwalk TOD areas.
3. Provide additional information on the potential build out
   1. Provide the projected 5- 10- and 20-year population growth and density by neighborhood
   2. Provide the 5-, 10- and 20-year projected impact on City services, schools, infrastructure, utilities, environment, traffic, and housing trends/costs
   3. Provide substantiated evidence on how any affordable housing would be created.
4. Provide zone by zone before/after information on land uses
   1. Before and after for permitted, special permit, and permitted with limitations.
5. Provide zone by zone before/after information on building regulations
   1. Before and after heights, set backs, parking requirements and building materials
6. Include more robust community outreach requirements in the plan along with advanced notifications for special permits, large developments and specific uses and provide for specific opt-in areas
   1. Use software such as Notice Me that allows residents to opt in for specific notifications by geographic area, neighborhood association or council district.
7. Conduct public outreach through all possible means
   1. Forums, drop in center for residents to meet with P&Z staff at City Hall one day and one evening per week, media ads (newspaper, radio, social media), electronic signage intervals at major gateways, scroll on City homepage, additional informational mailing to every property owner, information tables or booths at summer/fall public events.

For more info read below for background, a link to City zoning regulations update with interactive property map, and how to reach Save Norwalk's Neighborhoods. And then PLEASE SIGN THE PETITION....

Background:

For over two and a half years Norwalk’s Planning & Zoning Department and a consultant firm have been “updating” the City's zoning regulations, with a primary goal of modernizing, simplifying, and re-organizing it to reduce the overall number of zones and to make the document easier to read, understand and use.

However, SIGNIFICANT changes were just unveiled in late April. Nearly every Norwalk neighborhood will be changed, and most likely for the worse: adding density, straining City services & infrastructure, congesting roads, burdening first responders, polluting the environment and increasing tax burdens.

CLICK HERE CITY WEBSITE ZONING REGULATIONS UPDATE PAGE

P&Z public workshops were poorly attended. In a city of over 90,000 people, perhaps only a few hundred know about the proposed zoning changes. A recent postcard mailer provided no information on the magnitude of the proposed changes, didn't give a time for the public hearing(s), and did not stipulate that the hearings would be held both in person at City Hall and via zoom. The two public hearings were fairly well attended (in person and zoom), but more than half of the Commissioners have dismissed public feedback, one even mocking residents and saying our concerns were based in fear.

Areas of Concern:

• The “Upzoning” from single-family to two-family in many neighborhoods.
• A subsequent “scaling back” of upzoning for specific neighborhoods only, several of which are where elected or appointed City officials live*
• Allowing EIGHT story high-rise buildings in some sectors.
• Eliminating backlots & minimum lot sizes in AAA residential zones.
• Hidden changes such as modifying building regulations even down to the type of siding one can use!

Neighborhoods Most Impacted: South Norwalk, East Norwalk, Wolfpit, Dry Hill, Spring Hill and in reality, every neighborhood to some degree. THESE CHANGES WILL IMPACT THE QUALITY OF LIFE AND PROPERTY VALUES OF EVERY NORWALK RESIDENT.

*Despite changes being made and posted on June 9th that recommend scaling back the upzoning in 11 neighborhoods, and despite limited public knowledge & engagement, the City pushed ahead with the two legal Public Hearings on 6/21 and 6/28. Even today, the majority of residents and homeowners are in no position to comment on the proposed changes because they are UNAWARE of what is happening, and even fewer have reviewed the map and the actual recommended zoning changes. Fewer still can understand them.

FOR MORE INFO EMAIL [email protected] AND FOLLOW SAVE NORWALK'S NEIGHBORHOODS https://www.facebook.com/groups/6588402404517972/

NORWALKERS DESERVE MORE TIME TO LEARN ABOUT THE FINANCIAL, SAFETY & QUALITY OF LIFE IMPACTS TO THEIR HOMES AND NEIGHBORHOODS. AND NORWALK'S SINGLE FAMILY HOMEOWNERS AND ALL HOMEOWNERS DESERVE TO ENJOY THE NEIGHBORHOODS INTO WHICH MANY HAVE MADE THEIR SINGLE LARGEST INVESTMENT. THE BURDEN IS ON THIS ADMINISTRATION AND THE P&Z STAFF TO PROVIDE THE INFORMATION TO THE COMMUNITY THAT WILL ILLUSTRATE THE IMPACT OF THE PROPOSED CHANGES. AND THE RESPONSIBILITY IS ON THE P&Z COMMISSION TO PRESERVE OUR NEIGHBORHOODS. RESIDENTS OVER DEVELOPERS AND QUALITY OVER QUANTITY.

IF YOU AGREE, PLEASE READ BELOW AND THEN CLICK "SIGN PETITION"

We, the undersigned residents of or legal property owners in Norwalk, urge Mayor Harry Rilling and the P&Z Commission to retain all current single family zones, and to embark on a robust public outreach campaign over the next several months to provide residents with the pertinent information needed to understand how any zoning and building regulations changes would actually impact their property and their neighborhood.