[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6146831,"mediaKeyId","5524179-77733352d6a32826a0f739a2cefef0b3","parentId",5524179,"title","Commission approves administrative permit for Saint George Church pavilion; no new public hearing required","audioSeconds",912,"startMs",6307000,"endMs",7219000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5524179-77733352d6a32826a0f739a2cefef0b3&start=6307&end=7219","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5524179-77733352d6a32826a0f739a2cefef0b3/thumbnail_6307000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6146831/Norwalk-City/Fairfield/Connecticut/Commission-approves-administrative-permit-for-Saint-George-Church-pavilion-no-new-public-hearing-required","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6146831-761948b7998ea73fd8be3a7c935b940d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770415062&Signature=XInVf3e8J9mFuerMvKWzgQFa3tqp~qSoTR4J54S0PG07AjTb1qrwxxJ2xo6vW2m3FNP~IN5kDXIdEt99c5TupUn-iJP93saQOcR4F2j2w~qozSv5uMRaK8j~Q1TjX22XXsm4334oxLxG8vhvxULRh~PuL7eTz-apMjqZW0B-wXH~DIpKNoOiBCfHyw7XddKD4AnCPLfq0TVU8WI85vpQfAbV8YCjjxDvX3OdtGMfxFOgYyDEzayxZXHXmv0R8mHTDCQ0H-tUbgjdpwUrdhvPOlkWK8EX0WGrSL5fItknAUyEqUha9b~H63sN8lTlavT3MXTJNL~VfjE-7Kr98dTdtA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Norwalk City, CT","date","2025-08-02T01:23:40.843Z","article","The Planning and Zoning Commission voted to allow Saint George Greek Orthodox Church to proceed with a proposed pavilion and storage building at its West Rocks Road campus without holding a new public hearing, accepting the proposal as a minor modification to the site’s existing special-permit approvals.

John Stonides, president of the parish council, described the structure as a dual-use pavilion that would remove two large storage containers currently used for festival equipment and give the church a covered area for staging cooking equipment and festival operations. Stonides said the proposed structure would be metal-framed, rest on a concrete slab and include two overhead garage doors to store equipment behind the pavilion.

The project team supplied a site plan and engineers reviewed drainage and siting. Stonides said the pavilion design was developed to match the existing community center’s appearance and that the structure would reduce the repetitive manual handling involved in setup and tear-down of the church’s annual festival.

Commissioners asked about screening and nearby homes. The applicant noted there is existing screening — a mix of fir trees and a six-foot wooden privacy fence — between the proposed pavilion area and adjacent properties. Commissioners also asked about façade materials and square footage; the applicant confirmed the pavilion would be about 1,144 square feet and that the exterior finish would align with the community center.

A motion that the proposal be approved administratively (no new public hearing required) passed by roll call. Commissioners noted the installation will still require the normal zoning permit and building permits before construction and that municipal staff will verify screening and setbacks during permit review.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Planning and Zoning 07-02-25","oneSentenceSummary","The commission determined the proposed 1,144-square-foot pavilion and storage building for Saint George Greek Orthodox Church can be approved administratively without an additional public hearing. The structure will replace on-site storage containers and support the church’s annual festival.","taxTitle","Norwalk City, Fairfield, Connecticut","taxId",4245,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6146836,"Norwalk panel approves Baby Beluga’s request to expand home daycare from 12 to 18 children",5416,818000,6234000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5524179-77733352d6a32826a0f739a2cefef0b3&start=818&end=6234","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5524179-77733352d6a32826a0f739a2cefef0b3/thumbnail_818000.jpg","/articles/6146836/Norwalk-City/Fairfield/Connecticut/Norwalk-panel-approves-Baby-Belugas-request-to-expand-home-daycare-from-12-to-18-children","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6146836-d15a45a164374d6fde1bd346cf6f2733/orig.mp4?Expires=1770415062&Signature=N3zTqRE~lxrzpQwDhGACrfZLHjZjaWqakg3-h9WDZGKqB40fBQ0U6XcAHOjzgpCcqJde7r1MPtrMqM~v-GiCCGukAgjhSvmB1iaHGg0C3w3wlW2imBjUVgAMQbuYoFH7MehK61q3-BVXEfVhWUHIcSWUNkh8AuqWQXN5oHVcQAigxSKdD7yWLbb-AjRTYqKAtnC7H3CNJpHZHzB4Mvs-mYN0wba2vE0EQSY9O1hMQZlaep-MNC4Kdvui~5RYVlaKrxrRAcqBo3FXHbBk0Npg7ipicnF13DqD~aNq7F6LSpzbA~eGMnlyOcCPNkIHe1tFBJ3TfXVEG8~mOem4FE-K2A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Norwalk Planning and Zoning Commission voted to approve a special permit allowing Baby Beluga Family Daycare at 43 Betswood Drive to increase from 12 to 18 children. The commission’s approval followed a public hearing that included technical reviews from the city’s engineering and transportation departments, statements from the applicant’s consultants, and more than a dozen public comments for and against the expansion.

Craig Blarity of Redness and Mead, representing the applicant, said the proposal does not change the house’s size or mass but would reconfigure the driveway and parking to improve on-street conditions. “The primary improvements to the site take what is currently the single t intersection driveway … and make a looping driveway. We believe, this will improve, the drop off and pick up on the site,” Blarity told the commission. He said the Department of Public Works engineering division reviewed the drainage report and issued a sign-off dated June 25, and the city’s Transportation, Mobility and Parking department (TMP) signed off on June 27.

Brian Dempsey, the traffic consultant, summarized the transportation analysis and the expected change in vehicle trips: “With the increase of the 6 additional children, you'd have an increase in the peak hour of about 2 to 3 vehicles,” and later noted, “About 3 additional vehicles during that peak hour.” Dempsey said TMP reviewed and accepted the findings and that the proposed loop driveway and on-site parking would reduce the need for cars to stop on Betswood Road.

Applicant Myra Garcia said the daycare currently operates up to 12 children and would add staff to meet state staffing ratios should the commission approve the increase. “Right now, I have 4 employees, and I will increase … 2 more,” Garcia said. She told the commission that hours would remain 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and that she does not operate Sunday; she also said she does not provide off-site transportation and that children are walked only with parental permission.

Neighborhood speakers voiced concerns about traffic, street width, on-street parking, and noise. Gregory and Vernetta Johnson, who live next door at 45 Bettswood Road, said they support the owner personally but called the proposed capacity “a bit much for a residential neighborhood.” Neighbor John Gordy, who lives across the street, said drop-offs sometimes take 10 to 15 minutes and that cars have blocked the street, creating safety concerns for pedestrians and schoolchildren walking to nearby bus stops. Several neighbors asked whether enacting the loop driveway and additional on-site parking would actually be enough to prevent on-street stacking.

Other parents and clients spoke in favor. Ryan Henderson said his family has had “an incredible experience” at Baby Beluga and described the expansion as “a net positive for young families around here.” A client, Alisa Grevenberg, said the daycare keeps the site tidy and that drop-offs are typically brief. Several supporters noted local demand for childcare options.

Commissioners asked detailed questions about cohorting, play-area use and licensing. Garcia said outside play would be staggered by age groups so not all children would use the yard simultaneously and that the play area’s size would not materially change from current conditions. She confirmed that state approval from the Office of Early Childhood (OEC), fire marshal and building department approvals are required before any licensed increase to 18 children would take effect.

After discussion, a motion to approve the special permit passed. Commissioner Jackie Jordan Byron abstained, and Commissioner Rowena voted no; the majority approved the request. The permit approves the use change and site reconfiguration shown in the submitted plans; interior renovations, the garage conversion and the state licensing required for operation with 18 children remain conditional and subject to separate permitting and inspections.","The commission approved a special permit to allow Baby Beluga Family Daycare at 43 Bettswood Drive to increase capacity from 12 to 18 children, subject to state licensing and required building permits; neighborhood residents raised traffic, parking and noise concerns while parents and clients supported the expansion.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":79,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6146840,"Norwalk panel approves special permit to add brake service at Westport Avenue car wash",719,99000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5524179-77733352d6a32826a0f739a2cefef0b3&start=99&end=818","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5524179-77733352d6a32826a0f739a2cefef0b3/thumbnail_99000.jpg","/articles/6146840/Norwalk-City/Fairfield/Connecticut/Norwalk-panel-approves-special-permit-to-add-brake-service-at-Westport-Avenue-car-wash","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6146840-83454bc1ff7a2e132564ab46d6d9300e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770415062&Signature=VPMVv1poMDuX9Uu6AW4i1txL5BXn-K8QrM5orTM5SfaonMPVuWLi5Se1f0O-VOM7g9havJULVQSQWZGco9eeUZ6PiA~V2L0BCc5X1yD0c278sL7muA6UTPw1AWy-wFKDIExvcISUoPvgyFSvSCzTYxsdBjy2JlUIQn5HtrpsjxQmRLzMiosJn1vJu0or-mIUI52QU~hc0B5mBcsVW5LS5-dT3LUdz10akunGwVUgwYcXyePLANghwHPw06UcqG3nnlfL5EdVIFoSGyTvZ52y8n8ztb9ugBbnmdibOININvrEJZkoNQZF7oGyDmdmsorenUhgP5l9me2LmsPyS6N92A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Norwalk Planning and Zoning Commission on a unanimous vote approved a special permit allowing an existing car wash at 186 Westport Avenue to add brake-replacement services and be designated for motor-vehicle repair use. The decision followed a public hearing during which the applicant said the operation would not change the building or hours.

The permit establishes the car wash’s current oil-change business and new brake-replacement service as authorized motor-vehicle repair uses at the site. Craig or Morris Pitt, representing 48 Westport Avenue LLC, told commissioners the request was largely administrative: “we just wanna add on the brake service,” and that the firm sought the special permit “just to make it clean.” He said there would be no site changes: “Nothing to the building is changing.”

Neighbors raised concerns about hours and after-hours activity near the site. A nearby resident asked whether brake work would follow the existing schedule and whether weekend work would be added. The applicant replied that hours would match current operations and that the facility “will not be working Sundays.” The applicant also said he would address neighbors’ reports of employees lingering and playing music after hours: “I will take care of that. I will have a talk with the general manager there and make sure we resolve that issue.”

Commissioners discussed whether to add an explicit conditions clause requiring strict adherence to the posted hours. Staff and a commissioner noted that occasional employees socializing after hours is difficult to enforce through zoning and that existing city noise rules would apply if activities became loud: the panel declined to add a separate hours-enforcement clause to the permit language.

After public comment and the applicant’s responses, Commissioner Richard Lewis moved to approve and another commissioner seconded. The commission took a roll call and the motion passed. The commission chair then declared, “That matter passes. Congratulations, mister Pitt.”

The action authorizes the motor-vehicle repair use at 186 Westport Avenue as described in the application; no building alterations were approved and no change to the site layout was proposed. Any future physical changes would require the appropriate building or site permits.","The Planning and Zoning Commission approved a special permit allowing an existing car wash at 186 Westport Avenue to add brake-replacement services and general motor-vehicle repair uses; no building changes were proposed and hours will remain the same.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission approves administrative permit for Saint George Church pavilion; no new public hearing required

Norwalk panel approves Baby Beluga’s request to expand home daycare from 12 to 18 children

Norwalk panel approves special permit to add brake service at Westport Avenue car wash