The purpose of this ordinance is to promote the educational,
cultural, economic and general welfare of the City of Norwalk through
the preservation and protection of the distinctive characteristics
of buildings and places associated with the history of, or indicative
of a period or style of architecture of, the municipality, of the
state or of the nation and through the development of appropriate
settings for such buildings and places.
There is hereby created for the City of Norwalk an historic
district, to be known as the "Norwalk Green Historic District," the
boundaries of which are as follows: Beginning with the point at the
northeast corner of the property of St. Paul's Church, Blocks
69 and 70, Lot 1, the line will proceed in a westerly direction along
the boundary of this lot to its intersection with Park Street (note
that Lot 2 is not included); thence southerly on Park Street along
the boundary of Lot 1 to a point directly opposite the northern intersection
of Block 68, Lot 4, and Park Street; thence across Park Street and
westerly along the northern boundary of Lot 4; thence south along
the western boundaries of Block 68, Lots 4, 3 and 2; thence west along
the northern boundary of Block 68, Lot 22, south along the western
boundary of Lot 22; thence east along the southern boundary of Lot
22 to the intersection of Lot 22 and Lewis Way, south along the western
boundary of the public way known as Lewis Way, to the south-western
corner of Block 60, Lot 1, to a point on East Wall Street which is
directly opposite the intersection of Block 57, Lots 1 and 2, across
East Wall Street to this points thence following the boundary between
Block 57, Lots 1 and 2, to Smith Street; thence south along boundary
of Block 57, Lot 2, to the intersection of Lots 2 and 4 of Block 57;
thence northeasterly along the boundary between Block 57, Lot 2 and
Lot 4; thence east along the boundary between Block 57, Lots 3 and
4, to a point on Hubbells Lane where Lots 3 and 4 meet (thus excluding
Block 57, Lot 4); thence in a northeasterly direction along the boundary
of Block 57, Lot 3 to the intersection of the northern boundary of
Block 57, Lot 3, and Hubbells Lane; thence southeasterly across Hubbells
Lane, along the northeast boundary of Block 56, Lot 1, to a point
directly opposite the intersection of Morgan and East Avenues; thence
straight north along the western boundary of Blocks 69 and 70, Lots
3 and 1, to the starting point.
If the Commission determines that the proposed erection, alteration
or parking will be appropriate, it shall issue a certificate of appropriateness.
In passing on an appropriateness as to exterior architectural features,
buildings or structures, the Commission shall consider, in addition
to other pertinent factors, the type and style of exterior windows,
doors, light fixtures, signs, aboveground utility structures, mechanical
appurtenances and the type and texture of building materials. In passing
upon appropriateness as to exterior architectural features, the Commission
shall also consider, in addition to any other pertinent factors, the
historical and architectural value and significance, architectural
style, scale, general design, arrangement, texture and material of
the architectural features involved and the relationship thereof to
the exterior architectural style and pertinent features of other buildings
and structures in the immediate neighborhood. In passing upon appropriateness
as to parking, the Commission shall take into consideration the size
of such parking area, the visibility of cars parked therein, the closeness
of such area to adjacent buildings and other similar factors. In its
deliberations, the Historic District Commission shall act only for
the purpose of controlling the erection or alteration of buildings,
structures or parking which are incongruous with the historic or architectural
aspects of the district. The Commission shall not consider interior
arrangement or use. However, the Commission may recommend adaptive
reuse of any buildings or structures within the district compatible
with the historic architectural aspects of the district.
Where, by reason of topographical conditions, district borderline
situations or because of other unusual circumstances solely with respect
to a certain parcel of land and not affecting generally the district
in which it is situated, the strict application of any provision of
§ 7-147a to § 7-147k, inclusive, would result
in exceptional practical difficulty or undue hardship upon the owner
of any specific property, the Commission, in passing upon applications,
shall have the power to vary or modify strict adherence to said sections
or to interpret the meaning of said sections so as to relieve such
difficulty or hardship, provided that such variance, modification
or interpretation shall remain in harmony with the general purpose
and intent of said sections so that the general character of the district
shall be conserved and substantial justice done. In granting variations,
the Commission may impose such reasonable and additional stipulations
and conditions as will, in its judgment, better fulfill the purposes
of said sections. In addition to the filing required by Subsection
(b) of § 7-147e, the Commission shall, for each variation
granted, place upon its records and in the notice to the applicant
the reasons for its determinations.
Any person or persons severally or jointly aggrieved by any decision of the Historic District Commission or of any officer thereof may, within 15 days from the date when such decision was rendered, take an appeal to the Superior Court for the judicial district in which such municipality is located, which appeal shall be made returnable to such court in the same manner as that prescribed for other civil actions brought to such court. Notice of such appeal shall be given by leaving a true and attested copy thereof in the hands of or at the usual place of abode of the Chairman or Clerk of the Commission within 12 days before the return day to which such appeal has been taken. Procedure upon such appeal shall be the same as that defined in C.G.S §
8-8.
The provisions of this ordinance shall not apply to any property
owned by a nonprofit institution of higher education, for so long
as a nonprofit institution of higher education owns such property.