[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,75,87,99],{"_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",6019381,"mediaKeyId","5772672-79032d83d107806be949ed8cbc8feeba","parentId",5772672,"title","Commission begins bylaw updates on membership, terms and quorum; staff to produce redline","audioSeconds",1809,"startMs",996000,"endMs",2805000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5772672-79032d83d107806be949ed8cbc8feeba&start=996&end=2805","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5772672-79032d83d107806be949ed8cbc8feeba/thumbnail_996000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6019381/Norwalk-City/Fairfield/Connecticut/Commission-begins-bylaw-updates-on-membership-terms-and-quorum-staff-to-produce-redline","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6019381-122095d176554f19265656915df995f7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771146957&Signature=fKWUBGPw~c8QitB6Ut1q9h5SxPpDXRub7Fz38cTehf0BHEygI7OpZbq~8dSwN8xb0OL7s7muO71mZ1YffeWjmgb7~mY11rPwieJRYjRG18REcVXX6yy~LBYI26MQaKCNT-PPICA51E4QyPxY5zvnS24aLrYMS5LKMDhMBGoutcSog6QNqRxNfSAXrLnwSZYFUTf-dNEXe-GRR8MZYd8ZakeCW5IgcXuChQlXdqkQc1L2aGENsSwU6O1LHE29ZjYDwc9XlM7NqaSAJrzDELoWAzQy-mK4wqUo~XXujQZIDehMqcoFmQs3E57~nJpnKjcKQxDzbvCKgGGYhumMCXduRA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Norwalk City, CT","date","2025-08-26T00:00:00Z","article","The Norwalk Conservation Commission and Inland Wetland Agency opened a substantive discussion on updating its bylaws and related city‑code provisions during its Aug. 26 meeting, focusing on membership numbers, officer term limits, the timing of the annual meeting, quorum and voting language. Alexis, staff member, provided the commission with the current bylaws as last amended on April 5, 2010, and reviewed city code language that governs membership and appointment procedures.

Why it matters: Commissioners noted several inconsistencies and dated provisions. City code specifies appointment procedures and the total number of members; the commission’s bylaws contain internal operating rules that commissioners said should be modernized to reflect current practice, reduce ambiguity and make recruiting volunteers easier.

Major issues discussed: Commissioners raised specific changes they would like the staff to draft: remove or adjust the one‑year officer term limit and the two‑consecutive‑term restriction for officers; clarify the annual meeting date (several commissioners suggested moving the annual election from the first regular meeting in July to the first regular meeting in December to avoid summer scheduling conflicts); clarify quorum and voting language to distinguish between decisions that require a majority of members (for certain legislative actions) and decisions that require a majority of those present (for application votes); and update references to delivery methods for meeting notices (paper delivery language was called out as outdated).

Process and next steps: Commissioners asked staff to prepare a redline of the bylaws showing proposed edits. Alexis said she will draft a redlined version and present it at the next meeting. The panel agreed to postpone election of officers until the bylaws are revised and to consider scheduling an annual business meeting in December to coordinate budgeting and meeting schedules.

Context and constraints: Alexis reminded commissioners that city code (section cited during discussion) determines membership counts and appointment authority (mayor appointment and common council approval) and therefore some items cannot be changed unilaterally by the commission; changes to membership numbers or removal procedures would require council action. Commissioners discussed that some bylaw language traced back to 1976 historical provisions and recommended removing obsolete phrasing.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Conservation Commission 08-26-2025","oneSentenceSummary","Commissioners discussed amending bylaws that date to 2010 and earlier city‑code provisions, focusing on membership numbers, term lengths, annual meeting timing, quorum and voting language; staff agreed to prepare a redlined draft for the next meeting.","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},6019387,"Wetland delineation finds no wetlands for Lewis/Bishop site; commission approves development with buffer planting requirements",302,573000,875000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5772672-79032d83d107806be949ed8cbc8feeba&start=573&end=875","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5772672-79032d83d107806be949ed8cbc8feeba/thumbnail_573000.jpg","/articles/6019387/Norwalk-City/Fairfield/Connecticut/Wetland-delineation-finds-no-wetlands-for-LewisBishop-site-commission-approves-development-with-buffer-planting-requirements","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6019387-c152abdd7585600b9ef38a7218ff08c6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771146957&Signature=hT19gQOZmaqb0hiUT3sqsdZ6UK6M55USc4NKVAJu0A4YLTFKHN1b8TZXGP33wETy9AqlbDHoskQtKwZ8dGbcYwwyJbW2zcn0rsUYEYcpfY2d0KI8q8XnVfSe9B53KegzsN7ZHXCycd5WTtYFBaK90nX8tjblf7pHFCC6paSIWmRQJe7J4hVqXwK6pZeEGZiHF2-BMnlAv7iOtAxN~cc7TRvfl5WMYo8Zg3OH0kqxXXy~mYqPGWSqWdpBhpodLCO-08L0GwjMUOSFwsH1qxooxFg9tCgXfJtc-bK0E4jHMIR0XiCI-7ZB8hxCnmnTrdA0JhCmOKJP72maM3jNwLb~~w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A wetland delineation report for S25‑658 (38 Lewis Street and 1 Bishop Street) concluded there are no wetlands on the property, staff told the Norwalk Conservation Commission and Inland Wetland Agency on Aug. 26. Alexis, staff member, said the requested delineation had been received and she prepared a staff report and stamp for the commission to review; commissioners then discussed and approved the application with buffer conditions.

Why it matters: Staff’s investigation removed a prior uncertainty about the presence of wetlands on the parcels. Even so, staff recommended — and the commission adopted — conditions to establish an enhanced vegetated buffer along the development’s northern and eastern edges where developed elements currently abut the property line.

Conditions and plantings: Alexis described two special conditions that were adopted: (1) establish a buffer that is not maintained as lawn but allowed to reestablish as natural vegetation with management to prevent non‑native invasive species from dominating; and (2) enhance the buffer with the planting of 40 native shrubs and seeding with a native seed mix. Staff said the area for enhancement is roughly a 90‑foot total strip between the development and the property line, including space currently occupied by a small parking area, a set of stairs and part of an existing building.

Applicant response and vote: An applicant representative identified as Miss Sochi told the commission she had discussed the conditions with staff and said the applicant had no issue with the condition. A motion to approve S25‑658 was made and seconded; commissioners recorded an affirmative vote. Staff said the applicant’s team had no objections to the buffer and planting requirements.

Follow up: Staff will finalize the conditions in the approval documents and will monitor compliance with the enhanced buffer and planting plan.","A wetland delineation submitted for S25‑658 (38 Lewis Street and 1 Bishop Street) concluded there are no wetlands on the property; the commission approved the application with conditions requiring an enhanced buffer, native shrub plantings and invasive species management for a roughly 90‑foot strip near the development.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6019392,"Commission approves Glenwood Avenue 5‑unit site plan with wetland‑buffer conditions",371,131000,502000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5772672-79032d83d107806be949ed8cbc8feeba&start=131&end=502","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5772672-79032d83d107806be949ed8cbc8feeba/thumbnail_131000.jpg","/articles/6019392/Norwalk-City/Fairfield/Connecticut/Commission-approves-Glenwood-Avenue-5unit-site-plan-with-wetlandbuffer-conditions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6019392-ad6b0a46abd7ea005af53797773d964c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771146957&Signature=JEymL-caFI9kCLw6GpaYFC23Jy7WXf3w5XGp9DaoQm9Cq6kuHyepEH-k4aF2nfPDymdAVUWWO18Pc6Cc7tk2o1~zhs~6SVYIGLFXDc4cenAzTCE7w4SjOrh4mgfaE1fmb9l3wTn~w5PRQZ7qTwSH8KZCcEhWzGi3ec~QC87Qv4e1d3eBJkl71omDsOomzlVrfGBWCNt7Lw3B0y160TRa~eZjd3JlD62Q6Z8~r-VA97GW~InAlQRxFOHBP5iqDJ2AGdxYx6CmY9rATCGKbcd18kaPkA-II5my3SVwc9P~0PkpDF30zmjg0G6I0V5yUV92wxO8Od8j3~KPnELHb~j7tg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Norwalk Conservation Commission and Inland Wetland Agency on Aug. 26 voted to approve a revised site plan for S25‑65623 at Glenwood Avenue, after staff recommended approval with conditions. Alexis, staff member, reviewed the application and a staff memorandum dated Aug. 1, 2025, and commissioners moved to accept the memorandum and approve the project with conditions.

Why it matters: The project was reduced from an originally proposed eight‑unit multifamily building to five units, and the revised layout shifts the building closer to the road and farther from a wetland and watercourse at the rear of the lot. Staff and commissioners focused on measures to maintain and enhance the wetland buffer where development and parking would be closest to regulated areas.

Key approvals and conditions: Alexis told the commission the parking area on the plan would be about 41 feet from the wetland limit and about 48 feet from the watercourse limit. Staff’s recommended conditions were adopted as part of the motion to accept the Aug. 1 memorandum; special conditions require an enhanced native seed mix and an updated planting plan. Commissioners discussed planting additional river birches and ensuring that the remaining lawn area in the buffer be seeded with native mixes rather than maintained as turf.

Vote and procedure: The chair moved to accept the staff memorandum dated Aug. 1, 2025, for S25‑65623 as written; a commissioner seconded. The commission recorded an affirmative vote and staff reported the approval as unanimous on the record.

What’s next: Staff will incorporate the required planting and seed‑mix conditions into the permit and monitor compliance as specified in the conditions of approval.","The Norwalk Conservation Commission and Inland Wetland Agency approved a revised site plan for a reduced 5‑unit building on Glenwood Avenue with conditions requiring native seed mix and enhanced plantings in the wetland buffer.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6019396,"Applicant withdraws Riverwalk Lane wetland application; staff signals enforcement action",52,33000,85000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5772672-79032d83d107806be949ed8cbc8feeba&start=33&end=85","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5772672-79032d83d107806be949ed8cbc8feeba/thumbnail_33000.jpg","/articles/6019396/Norwalk-City/Fairfield/Connecticut/Applicant-withdraws-Riverwalk-Lane-wetland-application-staff-signals-enforcement-action","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6019396-8d98b6fd3e005a9761bdd15661b2f732/orig.mp4?Expires=1771146957&Signature=ALzyuEwFtZ2JOMqIrUeS0YhS9jfYzbW8HdVtNv~2m4SaWuAUZH~SW9OzfCgRFTyRmCV0VeuL~mrj8mYOd~fWmRUdfR3MO1aqQb9hPRhsPdUII-0~3ljFA8gL21tzA~cHL-UbHzbQeKsrZSO9PhovP~0t~3fffCivF3h--1KGLpBSxEecBOEbjm5QfqHQNxknOzJnUzXzn9cCGvnOWrlBNQp0~uaLJhlq4AEwJdkfYdCaffEzqgrZ2T1ya0vAWM5Y5VmWn43Q~RG9r4~HOC592DaSG4dE-LTbYf0wfE5l1kai4M3oyyUJ5kc7aZ3LS74K4wsK9MBh~k3iy-DYegi2qw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","An applicant withdrew a corrective-action wetland application for a Riverwalk Lane property on Aug. 25, and city staff said the withdrawal will not end the matter. Alexis, staff member for the Norwalk Conservation Commission and Inland Wetland Agency, told commissioners the applicant emailed yesterday saying they must withdraw, and staff warned the commission that the withdrawal “will require the city to further pursue enforcement action.”

Why it matters: The application was identified as corrective action, meaning the city retains authority to require remediation even if an applicant withdraws paperwork. Commissioners were told staff is leaning toward issuing an enforcement order that would direct the property owner to carry out a corrective action plan.

Staff update and next steps: Alexis said she had emailed the applicant last week to remind them of a deadline to complete the application and then received the withdrawal notice. She told the commission she will keep commissioners informed and that she is “leaning towards doing another order with directives to implement a corrective action plan.” The chair and other commissioners asked few follow-up questions during the item.

No motion or vote was taken on the floor. The transcript records staff’s statement of intent to pursue enforcement and to bring the matter back to the commission if needed.

What to expect: Alexis said she will report back to the commission; no specific timetable or statutory citation was given in the meeting record. The commission did not take a formal vote or set an enforcement deadline during the Aug. 26 meeting.","An applicant withdrew a corrective-action wetland application for a Riverwalk Lane property; city staff told the Norwalk Conservation Commission and Inland Wetland Agency the withdrawal will likely prompt enforcement and a directive to implement a corrective action plan.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission begins bylaw updates on membership, terms and quorum; staff to produce redline

Wetland delineation finds no wetlands for Lewis/Bishop site; commission approves development with buffer planting requirements

Commission approves Glenwood Avenue 5‑unit site plan with wetland‑buffer conditions

Applicant withdraws Riverwalk Lane wetland application; staff signals enforcement action