City of Norwalk, CT Coastal Zone

It is declared that a need is present in Norwalk for greater control over the development of its shoreline in order to encourage development which is compatible with the waterfront, minimize adverse environmental impact and encourage harmonious coastal development.

The purpose of this section is to implement the State Coastal Management Act, Chapter 444 of the Connecticut General Statutes, as amended, and the goals and policies therein.

General requirements.

Coastal Zone.

All references to the "coastal boundary" refer to the Coastal Boundary Map, Norwalk, Connecticut, scale one inch equals 600 feet, adopted by the Planning and Zoning Commission June 18, 1980, a copy of which is on file with the Town Clerk.

All references to the "Coastal Zone" refer to the area of Norwalk within the coastal boundary and landward of the mean high-water mark.

Coastal site plans required.

All structures and uses in the Coastal Zone, unless exempt under § 118-1110E, shall comply with coastal site plan review requirements in Sections 22a-105 through 22a-109 of the Coastal Management Act, as amended, in addition to complying with the other requirements of these regulations.

An application for coastal site plan review in accordance with Sections 22a-105(c) and 22-a106(c) of the Coastal Management Act, as amended, shall be filed with the Zoning Inspector in addition to an application for zoning approval, zoning variance, Special Permit site plan review, subdivision, resubdivision or special exception. The application shall be signed by the applicant and, if the applicant is not the owner, the owner of the property. If the applicant is unable to obtain the signature of the owner, the applicant may submit a letter of authorization signed by the property owner.

[Amended effective 3-29-2002; effective 5-25-2007]

[1]

Notification of neighbors: All applicants shall notify the owners of land that abut or are directly across the street from the subject parcel no later than ten (10) days after such application is submitted. Mailings shall be evidenced by a certificate of mailing that shall be submitted by the applicant to the Commission on or before the date of the Commission's action on such application. The name of the owners shall be taken from the latest Tax Assessor records. When a condominium is located across the street, or abuts the subject proposal, notification may be sent to the condominium association in lieu of the individual unit owners.

[Added effective 1-30-2015; amended effective 5-27-2016]

(c)

Fees.

[Amended effective 10-27-1995; effective 6-27-2003; efffective 8-29-2003; effective 3-24-2006; effective 4-24-2009; effective 9-25-2009; effective 4-28-2017]

[1]

A fee shall accompany the application in accordance with the Schedule of Fees established by the Commission, effective as of the date of the application.

Legal notice fees shall be the responsibility of the applicant, who will be billed for the payment of legal notice fees directly by the publisher of such notice. Applications for special permit or variance shall be exempt from these fees.

[2]

Where required by these regulations, an application for Village District design review shall be filed with the staff and accompanied by a filing fee as indicated on the approved Schedule of Fees, effective as of the date of the application, to be paid by the applicant at time of submission of the application. The Commission shall refer such application to its Village District consultant to review for compliance with applicable design guidelines. The report of such consultant shall be entered into the public hearing record and considered by the Commission in making its decision. Such fee shall be used by the Commission to compensate the Village District consultant; any unused balance shall be returned to the applicant.

General procedures for review and approval of coastal site plans.

The Commission may hold a public hearing, at its discretion, on any coastal site plan. Notice of the time and place of the hearing shall be given in accordance with Sections 8-3c and 8-7d of the Connecticut General Statutes, as amended. The Commission shall hold a public hearing on the following coastal site plan applications:

[Amended effective 5-15-1987; effective 5-28-2004]

Multifamily dwellings containing more than six dwelling units that are within two hundred (200) feet of mean high water; twelve (12) or more dwelling units that are more than two hundred (200) feet from mean high water.

Commercial and industrial uses of more than two thousand (2,000) square feet that are within two hundred (200) feet of mean high water; four thousand (4,000) square feet or more that are more than two hundred (200) feet from mean high water.

(c)

Activities requiring any other zoning permit, review or approval for which a public hearing is required by General Statute or these regulations.

The Commission shall approve, approve with conditions, modify or disapprove a coastal site plan in accordance with the time periods specified in Section 8-7d of the Connecticut General Statutes, as amended, provided that no zoning violation exists on the property.

[Amended effective 1-27-2006]

(3)

In approving the application, the Commission shall set an effective date and may attach such conditions to the coastal site plan as shall ensure compliance with the requirements of the Coastal Management Act, as amended.

(4)

Any extension or change of an existing structure or use permitted by coastal site plan review which substantially changes its character or intensity shall require a new coastal site plan review.

(5)

Coastal site plan review approval of any building, use or structure for which a building permit has not been issued within one year from the effective date shall become null and void, unless an extension of time is applied for and granted by the Commission.

(6)

As a condition to a coastal site plan approval, the Commission may require a financial guarantee to secure compliance with any modifications required as a condition of approval. A financial guarantee for any modifications required by the Commission shall be posted by the applicant approved as to form and financial institution by the Commission or Corporation Counsel at any time before completing all site plan modifications, public improvements or utilities. The financial guarantee shall be released only after all improvements are complete and are in satisfactory condition. If not satisfactory, within 65 days of release request, a written explanation shall be provided to the applicant detailing the outstanding work that must be completed before such financial guarantee or portion thereof may be released.

[Amended effective 1-27-2012; effective 10-26-2012]

Special Permits, variances and site plan review.

All applications for a Special Permit shall be governed by the provisions of § 118-1450 and the procedures, standards and other requirements of coastal site plan review and § 118-1110C.

All applications for a zoning variance shall be governed by the provisions of § 118-1410 and the procedures, standards and other requirements of coastal site plan review and § 118-1110C.

(3)

All applications for a site plan review shall be governed by the provisions of § 118-1451 and the procedures, standards and other requirements of coastal site plan review and § 118-1110C.

[Amended effective 8-28-1998]

Exempt uses and structures.

The following uses and structures shall be exempt from coastal site plan review:

Gardening, grazing and the harvesting of crops.

Construction, addition or alteration of a detached single-family dwelling except:

[1]

For the construction of a detached single dwelling and additions of one thousand (1,000) square feet or more within one hundred (100) feet of the following coastal resource areas as defined by Section 22a-93(7) of the Coastal Management Act, as amended: tidal wetlands, coastal bluffs and escarpments, and beaches and dunes.

[Amended effective 5-15-1987]

[2]

For a structure identified in the Norwalk Historic Resource Inventory, as amended.

(c)

Construction of new or modification of existing structures incidental to the enjoyment and maintenance of residential property, including but not limited to walks, terraces, driveways, swimming pools, tennis courts, docks and detached accessory buildings.

(d)

Minor additions to existing buildings, other than a detached single-family dwelling, consisting of 1,000 square feet or less, except on property abutting coastal waters, or within 100 feet of the following coastal resources as defined by Section 22a-93(7) of the Coastal Management Act as amended: tidal wetlands, coastal bluffs and escarpments, beaches and dunes; 2,000 square feet or less for additions that are more than 200 feet from the above-referenced coastal resources.

[Amended effective 5-15-1987]

(e)

Construction of new or modification of existing on-premises fences, walls, pedestrian walks and terraces, underground utility connections, essential electric, gas, telephone, water and sewer service lines, signs and such other minor structures that will not substantially alter the natural character of a coastal resource or restrict access along the public beach.

(f)

Activities conducted for the specific purpose of conserving or preserving soil, vegetation, water, fish, shellfish, wildlife and other coastal land and water resources.

(g)

Interior modifications to buildings.

(h)

Minor changes in the use of a building or property except changes on property abutting coastal waters and except changes from a water-dependent use to a non-water-dependent use.