[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",5984553,"mediaKeyId","5772584-cf3611c0a330ce50f5ff6e569a951efb","parentId",5772584,"title","Committee OKs public hearing for residential parking program; asks for council review of final guidelines","audioSeconds",3928,"startMs",426580,"endMs",4355000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5772584-cf3611c0a330ce50f5ff6e569a951efb&start=426&end=4355","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5772584-cf3611c0a330ce50f5ff6e569a951efb/thumbnail_426580.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5984553/Norwalk-City/Fairfield/Connecticut/Committee-OKs-public-hearing-for-residential-parking-program-asks-for-council-review-of-final-guidelines","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5984553-2fa282c752116f3302ab120dc8689999/orig.mp4?Expires=1771111780&Signature=g16KfpjStLgoDQF8~wG7NWfUff0UYpPqYM7Z9J7IMqos7E54gtBoWplbdJtjvVkvBp3OcynvHqfViukd50MIuQVYPxJzGZEDXM-9VERP7XXgT9ak3Gs5sUNdgbcEV1neobVPknao-Z6eCXycPcnUtOweiPex6Jqe-N~FJ6DpTbI8ea6IYBFIPG3I6w5kscd~c3wzoCDhED3aLj4-a5kdkXr~i8ihmFBIXzrBrS-PGFLjqQsfvOaO2y9Cx0T4ueipKusmK7TUlsOQmScspavXadqkuprFZGoZhetX5nPNnQv8WtLEVayf7X~D-MKAjIFq5FAao7yaChqYQbpGXrotyg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Norwalk City, CT","date","2025-09-16T00:00:00Z","article","The Ordinance Committee voted to send a residential parking ordinance to public hearing and directed staff and the Parking Authority to proceed with a public-comment process before implementation. The committee’s discussion combined written public comments from neighborhood residents and a lengthy committee debate about how much council oversight should be required.

Staff said the ordinance change is largely permissive: it authorizes the Parking Authority to develop a residential parking permit program but does not itself adopt program rules. Several emailed residents and two callers (addresses read into the record) urged an expedited program for neighborhoods near the forthcoming Manresa (Manresa Wilds) waterfront park, citing anticipated overflow parking on Sable Street, Woodward Avenue and adjoining Harbor Shores neighborhoods.

Committee members debated process and oversight. Some members argued the parking authority — which operates without tax funding and manages parking revenue — should be allowed to develop detailed operational rules. Others said the Council should have a clearer role in approving the Parking Authority’s proposed guidelines. After discussion the committee added language that the proposed guidelines and standards must be publicly noticed and, following a 30‑day comment period, submitted to the Common Council. The Common Council “shall, by majority vote, approve or disapprove said guidelines,” according to the language the committee asked staff to include.

Committee members and staff described a typical implementation pattern: neighborhood petitions (examples cited by staff showed high-percentage thresholds such as 75% support on a given street) would trigger review, and the Parking Authority would run a 30‑day public comment period and public hearings before finalizing guidelines. Committee members said the City could later amend the ordinance or rescind the Parking Authority’s authority if the program produced unexpected problems.

The committee voted to send the ordinance to public hearing (motion made by Jalen). Staff will post the proposed guidelines for public comment and arrange future meetings for review; the committee expects the Parking Authority to present a final version for council consideration after the comment period.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Ordinance Committee 09-16-2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Ordinance Committee voted to send a proposed residential parking program ordinance to public hearing and required that the Parking Authority publish proposed guidelines for a 30‑day public comment period and then submit the final guidelines to the Common Council for approval.","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},5984559,"Committee sends housekeeping pension ordinance changes and defined-contribution update to public hearing",369,1040680,1410000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5772584-cf3611c0a330ce50f5ff6e569a951efb&start=1040&end=1410","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5772584-cf3611c0a330ce50f5ff6e569a951efb/thumbnail_1040680.jpg","/articles/5984559/Norwalk-City/Fairfield/Connecticut/Committee-sends-housekeeping-pension-ordinance-changes-and-defined-contribution-update-to-public-hearing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5984559-8f2073ab89c1e58dc9a4a0f9bb9ca177/orig.mp4?Expires=1771111780&Signature=A-4iVhLCoQix7xpC24VRnTfTA8tfsXKNgOCHuKEkucJui5fMhcDH2NbMu9bATfXoG6TL30nwcwRVeDpdSi4M7zC8tmBcE0TwiXBu9hxHKTClPvQk-vNLlKD6h58RIFFf~hjAOP7ZzDuenCaXBzzAdu1UbNrfYz6Uu-NxfDET94k61ERWsv7b4tYBRj2hv1b~-JJML~fozcMTLaMgQX8gJOwaeYOKFqZxAUkZpF8Nj269WFFuclJCIsB~rPar1ZN19r7QzQUMhUEBHD8ZX3id58Mf43~xFhFM7TObyLrIAsq4QNpUkHYqXLTCZkWXEvXTOZsi6Z7GIdCDmt7uUJld3Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Ordinance Committee unanimously agreed to send housekeeping amendments to the pension ordinance and related chapters to public hearing. The committee moved Chapter 126 — governing the municipal pension plan — and Chapter 84 — related defined-contribution and OPEB references — toward public review after staff described the changes as technical updates to match the pension plan document.

Tom Livingston, who presented the amendments, told the committee the ordinance language in Section 126.2 was inconsistent with the written pension plan and required amendment to reflect the plan’s composition. The changes add an at-large “public” member slot referenced in the plan, clarify union representation on the pension board and replace references to the city comptroller with the chief financial officer (or the CFO’s designee). Livingston said he also shortened board member terms from five years to four to conform with charter limitations on commissions and boards.

Tom said the edits to Chapter 84 reflect that the pension board serves as the OPEB board and remove outdated references to the comptroller and to an incorrect five-member assumption. Several committee members noted that a broader pension-code review could be warranted in the future and would require outside counsel with ERISA expertise; the committee described the current package as time-sensitive only to allow filling a vacant board seat.

A motion to send Chapter 126 to public hearing passed unanimously; the committee explained that once the ordinance language is updated the Council can appoint the outstanding board member so the pension board becomes fully constituted. The committee then voted unanimously to send Chapter 84 to public hearing as well.

Staff indicated no substantive policy changes were proposed; the package is intended to conform city code with the written pension plan, to correct references and to allow immediate appointment of the final trustee.","The Ordinance Committee unanimously voted to send technical amendments to the city’s pension ordinance (Chapter 126) and related Chapter 84 provisions to public hearing.",{"_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},5984564,"Ordinance committee forwards revised rules for naming city buildings and honorary streets to council",322,33460,356450,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5772584-cf3611c0a330ce50f5ff6e569a951efb&start=33&end=356","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5772584-cf3611c0a330ce50f5ff6e569a951efb/thumbnail_33460.jpg","/articles/5984564/Norwalk-City/Fairfield/Connecticut/Ordinance-committee-forwards-revised-rules-for-naming-city-buildings-and-honorary-streets-to-council","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5984564-d493f121b7669cd3340ca615e31a8900/orig.mp4?Expires=1771111780&Signature=ljRobbmrYx03YwT6upWTIYPa6KnFSUA~PM~J8reTtnMGSoRYjNlZpqtjOUqmvztOwVll~RCWqTlEoL~VTfuZhmzCyo2s8LXAlORCnOowpq1FFhJKOF0X0diF8fhBWTyBSn5TCa7M-mnLRK9kV4X6g6oW51hjfMjOm2eis-hY~OpHQphbilkqlfg8YXU13aUeBOcanGvtzIhv8~twdxV4OqXQmc5Pnw4DtW69KMiC5xAQRNmTQ76FFUsOdT0AxIHNULeTgF7RrFaHIPz~dM1PpvKN1Dw0TLqTG4CulChBkk6OIdPzU5N8UADLBEhYFTyXuS5mu8sXbiNbtsdE3kRq7Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Ordinance Committee voted unanimously to send amended naming rules for city buildings, facilities and honorary streets to the Common Council. The committee approved revisions to Chapter 27 (city buildings and facilities) and Chapter 95 (streets and sidewalks) that standardize procedures and adjust voting thresholds.

The changes align the process for naming buildings, parks and streets so the same general procedure applies across categories. The committee said the revisions restore language making a two-thirds Common Council majority the usual approval threshold, and a higher threshold — “two-thirds plus one” — when a name is proposed for a living person or someone deceased fewer than 12 months.

Committee members said the intent is procedural consistency. “We’re also trying to make these procedures identical so that we don’t have two different procedures for naming streets and buildings and facilities,” a committee member said during discussion. Staff noted redlined edits that add the phrase “or section thereof” and correct drafting errors that had removed the plus-one requirement in some places.

The committee closed two public hearings on the proposed amendments after receiving no public testimony specifically on those sections. After staff presentation and brief committee discussion, Jalen moved to forward the amended Chapter 27 ordinance to the Common Council; the motion passed unanimously. Josh moved to forward Chapter 95 (sections 9537–9539) to the Common Council; that motion also passed unanimously.

The committee did not change the substance of the higher voting threshold tied to naming living persons or individuals recently deceased; it only amended ordinance text to restore the intended requirement and to harmonize procedure across codes. The forwarded package will appear before the Common Council for final action.

The committee recorded the motions as unanimous and attached the staff redlines to the meeting record. The committee clerk will include the amended text in the Common Council packet for the next available council meeting.","The Ordinance Committee unanimously voted to send amended language for naming city buildings, facilities and honorary streets to the Common Council. The changes standardize procedures between buildings and streets and clarify voting thresholds, including a higher threshold when the honoree is living or recently deceased.",{"_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},5984542,"Committee to rework noise ordinance tables and enforcement approach; schedules fuller review before public hearing",537,5171500,5709000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5772584-cf3611c0a330ce50f5ff6e569a951efb&start=5171&end=5709","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5772584-cf3611c0a330ce50f5ff6e569a951efb/thumbnail_5171500.jpg","/articles/5984542/Norwalk-City/Fairfield/Connecticut/Committee-to-rework-noise-ordinance-tables-and-enforcement-approach-schedules-fuller-review-before-public-hearing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5984542-a14ebe2470670249c095e1551948c6d4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771111780&Signature=BEW3-xpnbBGhsOLTvSYS29RWks2abuqygYBUlaPHRjhc0bxS68B-QR6QUW2LfCmE0rDjfxcPLdsgKrV31laQ9L6lHPPDSX7ZZsYw7fUA68SdXmjSWINhpt32c5gULWp2UJ3qz22BgCWty1hJJMBgW45Lad~2b76-4kBFqYaXeVwJ16WcfK9C2lDsvK7KsaWrxLQSkDqGCV0ah87WmlO69POikYvzjVIBclahSAhKPZI-mENsZyvzeNz4BSvXg3mk5KM~wlC7uuNTV88rRH9gNblMwztoAmiMXcWcs2qqyejd9EpUHUMj4SWK3vJ4bfW-FiACpaPGamX-V5RLJoyHpQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Ordinance Committee directed staff to rework portions of the city noise ordinance — specifically the sound-level tables, related footnotes and variance language — to improve enforceability and clarity. Committee members asked staff to circulate a cleaned draft for review before scheduling a public hearing.

Staff identified the areas of concern as Table 2 (maximum permissible outdoor and indoor sound levels for residential, commercial and industrial zones), a footnote that increases permitted levels where a residential receptor is near a commercial or industrial zone, and Table 3, which provides district-specific allowances (for example treating Washington Street differently). Staff said the combined effect of multiple tables and the footnote made enforcement difficult for police.

The draft under consideration contains a provision to allow police officers to issue citations without conducting meter measurements in cases that meet a plainly-audible standard at 100 feet; staff said that practical enforcement mechanism would let officers address loud disturbances promptly without complex measurement procedures. The police chief and health department staff have reviewed portions of the proposal and will be re-engaged as staff prepares a consolidated redline.

Committee members agreed it would be prudent to remove the special-case table and simplify footnotes so enforcement matches the way other municipalities structure noise codes. Several members asked staff to circulate proposed changes to the noise tables (sections noted as §68-5 and §68-11 in discussion) and the revised variance process before the committee’s next meeting so that stakeholders including business groups and Washington Street interests can review them prior to formal public hearing. Staff committed to distributing an updated draft promptly for Committee review.","Committee members directed staff to rework the city noise ordinance’s measurement tables and footnotes to simplify enforcement, removing special-case tables and clarifying audible-enforcement language. Staff will circulate updated text for committee review before an October hearing; the chief and health department will be consulted.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5984546,"Committee advances tree ordinance revisions and creation of Urban Forestry Commission to public hearing",401,4701110,5103000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5772584-cf3611c0a330ce50f5ff6e569a951efb&start=4701&end=5103","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5772584-cf3611c0a330ce50f5ff6e569a951efb/thumbnail_4701110.jpg","/articles/5984546/Norwalk-City/Fairfield/Connecticut/Committee-advances-tree-ordinance-revisions-and-creation-of-Urban-Forestry-Commission-to-public-hearing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5984546-9d47fcd0e72cec36a54b0563c0bddbed/orig.mp4?Expires=1771111780&Signature=lR2metnk0ZTcqkMnHsXCLmss1ijlc2cPQySjnQVsL434qCwyn3Cy5ftDthfhPD2rIHK-hD6IW2MxaaPKnv1PvQ2K28ExywAR39326MPtHUBPoszchNMmdD0Sr3z5D8Be2NAmCXQONV1ZazWJ1fZEc9skmKm6F0PmIzYzUzB6Np-ijPfxSVea1JYGG-wcrq69A8UMcDXoJiIon6rdincCWVI7IAR9S4-4TWr9nXqdKFHC2gYjSFQSQymC8Ku7FT5cW2QgQivmy7MHN8pzH6D5K0g22l4hzZSgTp7hrSLcn5rXHVO2Dno8LoZEggU2ROH9CpMWnJ3m068lfMZF0LuXWg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Ordinance Committee voted to send revisions to the city’s tree ordinance to public hearing, including creation of a new Urban Forestry Commission to replace the existing Tree Advisory Committee. Staff described the package as largely definitional and organizational and asked the committee to approve sending the current draft to public hearing so implementation can proceed before year-end.

Key changes include a new definition for a Tree Stewardship Program (formerly the tree liaison concept), the formal establishment of an Urban Forestry Commission, updated terminology to use gender-neutral pronouns, and replacement of several references to the tree warden and deputy tree warden. The draft staggers initial commission terms so the five-member body does not expire all at once; staff proposed term expirations in 2027, 2028 and 2029 to create a rotation.

Staff and committee members said the commission would be a nonvoting, ex‑officio partner for the tree warden and Parks & Recreation Department and would advise on the city’s tree master plan. Committee members asked staff to confirm that the draft aligns with recent charter changes that affect commissions, to scrub pronoun usage and to make small drafting cleanups before the public hearing.

Nora moved to send the ordinance to public hearing; the motion passed unanimously. Staff said they will do a final editorial and charter-conformance pass and circulate the updated text to committee members before the hearing.","The Ordinance Committee voted to send an updated tree ordinance to public hearing that replaces the Tree Advisory Committee with an Urban Forestry Commission, clarifies definitions, and establishes staggered commission terms. Staff said the commission will support the tree warden and Park & Recreation; committee members asked for a final scrub of","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee OKs public hearing for residential parking program; asks for council review of final guidelines

Committee sends housekeeping pension ordinance changes and defined-contribution update to public hearing

Ordinance committee forwards revised rules for naming city buildings and honorary streets to council

Committee to rework noise ordinance tables and enforcement approach; schedules fuller review before public hearing

Committee advances tree ordinance revisions and creation of Urban Forestry Commission to public hearing