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NORWALK, Conn. – An amended version of what one Norwalk resident called the "Big Box Promotion Act" was passed last week in a special meeting of the Norwalk Zoning Commission.
The amendment revises the minimum height requirement of retail buildings that contain more than 80,000 square feet – but only within eight-tenths of a mile of an interstate highway exit or entrance ramp. It eliminates the requirement that such stores must have a second story, reversing a decision made in 2009. It also exempts firehouses from building height requirements.
Commissioner Mike Mushak said the amendment was a compromise, affecting Connecticut Avenue only. Mushak said Commissioner Adam Blank made a motion to confine the change to an area that already has the infrastructure to handle large stores.
"I was initially very opposed to the amendment in any form as it contradicted the Master Plan of Conservation and Development, but I thought this compromise was acceptable, especially knowing that many improvements to the infrastructure along the Connecticut Avenue corridor are coming soon in the way of widened exit ramps, extra travel lanes, and a mile of new sidewalks on both sides of the avenue as part of the Connecticut Department of Transportation Rt. 95 widening project which broke ground last month," Mushak wrote in an email.
The amendment was not part of the agenda posted for the special meeting on the city's website. Mushak said commissioners had originally planned to vote on it in August but it was added to the agenda 24 hours ahead of the meeting, as a courtesy to commissioners who wanted to vote on it in July.
Former Mayor Bill Collins was among those protesting the proposed amendment at the May commission meeting, calling it the "Big Box Promotion Act." "It makes those of us in the city very nervous that out of its own cogitation the commission would present this," he said. "Because it would seem to a normal citizen that if there's one thing Norwalk does not need today, it's more big box stores."
He wanted the regulation change denied outright. Mushak, Blank and Commissioner Nathan Sumpter voted to do just that at last week's meeting. That failed on a 4-3 vote, with Commissioners Joe Santo, Emily Wilson, Jill Jacobsen and Michael O'Reilly voting to amend it in some way.
Comments (11)
Jlightfield:
For any business or economy to be successful, you have to be flexible and adjust with the times. And thank G-d that's what the zoning commission did by passing this amendment.
Jlightfield, you can't force your will on the market place. If you do, you lose businesses and the economy suffers.
Norwalk is lucky that their are major retailers that want to be here. And in this economy, that's a blessing. Buy removing this 2nd story obstacle, the zoning commission has shown they are in touch with reality and want to see economic growth in Norwalk.
And if NwlkCityZen has to take an extra second or two to pull out of his driveway because trade is thriving in her part of town - so be it. Some people need to stop being selfish and look out for the greater good of our fellow citizens in Norwalk!
@Sandy R, Do you play monopoly without rules? Because rules is what makes the game fair. And that's all that businesses want, fair, understandable rules to open in Norwalk. You perhaps also misunderstand the vote, they did not remove the second story requirement as per the misguided attempt by some, they relaxed it near 1/8 mile of highway exits.
My REI cite then, is very apropos because REI put in sidewalks next to the exit ramp because they understood who their customer is and what streetscape appeal is all about, part of the the retailing experience.
The marketplace, btw, avoids Norwalk and opens in Wilton, Westport, Darien and Fairfield, all suburbs with restrictive zoning and design guidelines.
Jlightfield:
Does forcing developers to build a 2nd story in this lousy economy sound fair to you? Especially when money isn't easy to come by and when Norwalk is starving for jobs & tax revenue. Thank G-d the zoning commission has some business sense (and common sense) and voted to amend this ridiculous regulation. In time, hopefully, they'll amend it to include structures under 80,000 square feet and for all of Norwalk, not just within 1/8 of mile from the exits (btw I fully understood the vote).
Jlightfield, we need to bring more businesses to Norwalk, not chase them away with unreasonable zoning regulations. Wake up and read the newspapers. Times are tough out there. Stop making it difficult for Norwalk's economy to grow.
As a former chairman of the zoning commission, I'm somewhat disappointed that some on the zoning commission sought to undo the work of hundreds in creating a master plan that encouraged density, growth, pedestrian friendly commercial corridors and of course policy that wold in fact grow the grand list.
Catering to single story buildings that have proven to be more oftentimes vacant than producing is a short sighted policy goal spearheaded by individuals who don't live in commercial areas nor seemingly walk anywhere in Norwalk.
Notably when REI bought the former Linens and Things site, they were happy to work with the commission to make their store appealing and compliant with our street-scape goals. A return to cookie-cutter strip mall aesthetics isn't going to attract the retail stores that will have a long lasting and positive effect on economic growth.
jlightfield
Did ever think that you ideas were wrong for Norwalk I and many others do.
Great for Norwalk!!!
More Jobs and more tax revenue (which we desperately need). Not sure why any local government would ever stand in the way of economic growth in this horrible economy. This 2nd story requirement from 2009 was ill conceived and a bad business decision to begin with. This amendment passed by the zoning commission just righted a wrong.
And is NwlkCityZen really complaining about Lowes donating money to make Norwalk more beautiful? Really?????? Are you kidding me?
Not complaining that they donated money to make Norwalk beautiful, just want to be sure they continue that trend when they build their big box store. I'm not being selfish, just want to be able to LIVE here. Not all of us can be in AAA neighborhoods, and it's nice when a new store takes the neighborhood around it into consideration.
They will line Connecticut Ave. with big box stores and the traffic will be horrific. (Been to the Post Rd. in Milford lately?) No coincidence that Lowe's is looking at the property that was once where Affinion Group was (diagonally from Volk Fire House).
The amendment was custom written for this store. "Less than .8 mile from exit ramp".
24 hour notice for a meeting?! Who are they kidding?
Glad Lowes has donated money to keep Flax Hill Beautiful:
http://hamlethub.com/norwalk-entertainment/cat/places/15793-norwalk-receives-lowes-qkeep-america-beautiful-grant-for-flax-hill-park
Here's hoping they do the same for Connecticut Ave.
I'm afraid I'll never get out of my driveway!
Post Rd. in Milford lately?
Sure have and hopefully Norwalk will be the same instead of the vacant lots that it currently is thanks to Moccia.
While I oppose building additional big box stores to Norwalk -- for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is the inability in our state to tax inventories -- I applaud the compromise. It does seem reasonable.
Maybe Al was right about third parties in Norwalk,doubt if some of the Democrtas in Norwalk are actually looking at the whole picture anymore.Those who live on the other side of Norwalk are simply out of touch.For a city to compete it needs to be safe and run by those who know the city not just the politics.
The meeting was what at midnight at the Inn?
The fire station is so tall for what reason?Maybe the firemen will be able to see fire before the police dept calls them or before they see it from the water.
The question of the day how does the new fire station make response any faster? I'm now told some of the bay doors are 5 feet closer to the street isn't making some feel any better about it.