Politics & Government
Transit-Oriented Plan Proposed for South Norwalk
The proposed master plan reportedly looks at both transportation and residential/commercial development in the neighborhoods surrounding the South Norwalk Train Station over the next ten years.
The Norwalk Common Council is reportedly set to discuss a proposed master plan for the neighborhoods surrounding the during its upcoming meeting on Tuesday.
According to a report in the Norwalk Hour, the proposed master plan, which the town commissioned at a cost of $110,000, looks at both residential/commercial development and transportation infrastructure over the next ten years and includes specific recommendations.
For example, the plan recommends new housing on the perimeter of the Webster Street Block and converting the office building at 50 Washington St. into residential use. What’s more it recommends the construction of multi-story residential buildings along the shore on Water Street, “set perpendicular to protect views of the harbor,” as well as public spaces along the water’s edge, according to the report.
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In addition the plan recommends redeveloping Washington Village into a mixed-income housing complex — an idea that the Norwalk Housing Authority is already pursuing, according to the report.
The plan also includes analysis of the financial impact of its recommendations, i.e. it measures how much property taxes the recommended developments could generate for the City in the future.
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The so-called "Transit Oriented Development Master Plan for South Norwalk Railroad Station Neighborhood,” prepared by The Redevelopment Agency and The Cecil Group, Inc., also analyzes traffic patterns in the area and offers recommendations for improving pedestrian connections, traffic circulation and parking.
According to the Norwalk Hour report, in total the plan calls for the construction of 595 new housing units and about 37,557 square feet of new retail space, which would bring in an additional $24 million in property taxes over a 30-year period.
The Planning Committee reportedly approved the plan 5-1 at its meeting on Monday.
As reported on Norwalk Patch last week, the city is also considering the , which outlines recomendations for improving Norwalk's pedestrian sidewalks and bike trails over the next 10 years. The report, commissioned from consultants Fitzgerald & Halliday Inc. of Hartford, is expected to soon be delivered to city officials.
