Advisory Taskforce on Zoning

Mayor’s Task Force on Zoning May 13, 2015 Minutes 6:00pm Call to Order Attendance: Adam Blank, Joel Zaremby, Rick Redniss, Leigh Grant, Jim Murphy, Julie Burton, Felix Serrano, John Kydes Guests: Steve Cecil, Emily Innes (Cecil Group), Mike Greene, Susan Schweitzer, Emily Wilson, Tim Sheehan, Dave Davidson, Matt Eduardsen (Spinnaker), Bruce Beinfield, Bruce Kimmel, Mayor Harry Rilling, Robert Koch (The Hour), Nancy Chapman (Nancy on Norwalk). The Cecil Group shared their recommendations for revitalizing the neighborhoods around the South Norwalk Train Station. Three-story construction on lots less than a half the area, five stories on those more than a half-acre and off-site parking throughout the entire Transit Oriented Development area in South Norwalk were a part of the proposal. Cecil Group is recommending a TOD Waterfront zone along Water Street, a TOD Core zone around the train station, and similar TOD zones between Flax Hill Road and the train station, and possibly parts of Lexington Avenue to the south. Comments by Task Force; Jim Murphy, felt the proposed TOD Waterfront could gentrify the waterfront at the cost of boatyards. Adam Blank, task force chairman and a city zoning commissioner, found the allowance of bank drivethroughs the "antithesis" of encouraging pedestrian traffic. Leigh Grant asked for protections for historic buildings and their facades, particularly along Washington Street. Mayor Harry W. Rilling counted authenticity, walkability, affordability and diversity as among the goals for area around the train station. Joel Zaremby encouraged trying to make the waterfront a mini Harbor Yards in Baltimore to attract restaurants and boaters and people enjoying the water as a destination. . Adam Blank asked Planning and Zoning Department staff to review the recommendations. In 2-3 months the Cecil Group will report back on comments made tonight. Tim Sheehan will reflect on ideas presented. Input will be requested from Norwalk Parking Authority. Other items; On June 10 at 6pm, task force members will welcome public input on their work during a meeting at City Hall. Nothing to report as yet on IT capabilities Adjournment 7:21pm