Norwalk Zoning Decisions: September 2026

In September 2026, Norwalk held 6 public meetings covering zoning matters. 9 zoning decisions had a recorded outcome this month: 4 approved (80% approval rate), 1 denied, 4 deferred. Activity was up 32% compared to August (228 activity items across 5 meetings).

Zoning Decisions This Month

Variances for house lift and front addition at 38 Westmere Avenue

Denied.

Application 26-0618-02 by Leslie Dale Dunn trustee sought variances of table 4.3.1-C for front setback (30 ft required, 14 ft proposed), side setback, building height (32 ft max, 37.8 ft proposed; total 40 ft max, 43.5 ft proposed), building coverage (35% max, 37.1%), and propane tank location for a proposed front addition and raising the building for flood compliance at existing single dwelling in CD1S zone / Coastal Area Management overlay. Applicant reduced height request by 8.5 inches, relocated propane tanks, and eliminated impervious-surface variances. Board denied WITHOUT PREJUDICE, objecting to the ~440 sq ft two-story addition as not tied to a hardship; board favored the revised propane-tank location. CCMA vote was moot after denial.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Appeal of cease-and-desist for workforce housing violation at 10 Willard Road

Deferred.

Application 26-0917-01 by 10 Willard Apartments LLC appeals a cease-and-desist order issued by Deputy Zoning Inspector Ian Hall dated July 23, 2026 for violation of workforce housing regulations Section 6.12.4 (maximum rent) at existing mixed-use development including 24 (elsewhere 22) workforce units in an NCD-3C zone at 10 Willard Road. Development approved by Planning and Zoning Commission via special permit in 2020 for 219 residential units, 22 designated workforce, and a four-story storage facility. Dispute centers on whether parking fees ($80-$100/month) must be included in rent per city attorney opinion. Applicant represented by Justin Glaser of FLV Law. Board granted a continuance until next month pending further city attorney interpretation.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Special Permit to expand nonconforming motor vehicle repair use at 131 New Canaan Avenue

Approved.

Special permit application by 131 New Canaan Avenue LLC to expand a nonconforming motor vehicle repair use by adding an overhead garage door and a side man door for easier access to an existing storage room/bay. No expansion of building footprint. Approved unanimously with modified resolution conditions. Neighbors raised concerns about clear-cutting of mature evergreen trees along the shared boundary, potential future sandblasting, and hours of operation.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Wall Street Village District overlay text and map amendment

Deferred.

Wall Street Neighborhood Association application to create the Wall Street Village District overlay via zoning regulation text amendment and zoning map amendment to Article 4, relating to density, parking, workforce housing, and public realm. Key provisions: parking exemption for developments up to 60 units (Commission tentatively agreed to reduce to 32), removal of unit-count caps to allow varied unit mixes, village district architectural review, fee-in-lieu for workforce housing on projects of 19 units or fewer, and public realm fee-in-lieu for lots under a quarter acre. TMP Director Jim Travers and Parking Authority Chairman Eric Raines opposed the parking exemption scale, urging use of the HB 8002 framework. Staff (Steve Kleppen) recommended delay to assess HB 8002 impacts. Motion to approve was made; Commission deliberated numerous edits (strike automatic 300-unit termination, cap height at four stories, strike historic-finding provision 2.2, prohibit combining parcels, reduce 60-unit threshold to 32) then continued to October 7, 2026.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Regulation change to modify density in mixed-use multifamily zones per PA 25-1

Deferred.

City of Norwalk zoning regulation text amendments to Articles 4, 7, and 9 to modify density requirements in the mixed-use multifamily zones in accordance with PA 25-1. Public hearing opened and immediately continued to the October 7 meeting.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Variances for house lift, additions and driveways at 7 Twilight Place

Approved.

Application 26-0917-02 by Michael and Emily Giunta sought variances of table 4.3.1c and 4.3.10 for front setback (front porch 20 ft required, 17.1 ft proposed), side setback for HVAC units (4 ft required, 2.2 ft proposed), building height (32 ft max, 35.4 ft proposed / midpoint variance of 2.5 ft), new driveway width, distance between driveways (50 ft on center min, 39.4 ft proposed), and parking within front yard setback, for elevation and additions to a single-family residence in CD1S zone / Coastal Area Management overlay. House in VE14 flood zone to be elevated to FEMA-plus-two; portion (former in-law apartment) to be demolished and rebuilt; impervious coverage reduced. Represented by Liz Suchy of Carmody Torrance Sandak & Hennessey with engineers Tim DeBartolomeo, Wayne DeVanzo and architect Tom Lantine. Approved unanimously.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Coastal site plan (CCMA) compliance for 7 Twilight Place

Approved.

Second required decision for application 26-0917-02 (Michael and Emily Giunta, 7 Twilight Place): finding that the proposed variances are consistent with Connecticut Coastal Management Act goals and policies and will not adversely impact coastal resources. Property abuts coastal resources; entirely within VE14 flood zone. Proposal elevates house to minimize flood threats; new in-ground pool at rear. Approved unanimously.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Wall Street Village District overlay map amendment

Deferred.

Zoning map amendment component of the Wall Street Neighborhood Association application (2026-47) to create the Wall Street Village District overlay. Public hearing opened and immediately continued to October 7, 2026 to avoid re-noticing.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Showing the 8 most significant of 9 recorded zoning decisions. See all Norwalk meetings →

Zoning Changes

• Zoning change, 125 acres at Longshore Avenue, Manresa Island (0 and 3 Manresa Island), Norwalk (Manresa Osprey, LLC)
• CD4 at Wall Street district (overlay area), Norwalk (Wall Street Neighborhood Association)

Top Keywords This Month

• zoning: 86 instances
• setback: 31 instances
• variance: 27 instances
• residential: 24 instances
• commercial: 11 instances

What to Watch

• Setback mentions were up 182% from August.
• Residential came up 118% more often than August.

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