The Norwalk Harbor Management Commission on Sept. 17 voted that a DEEP tentative license and associated dock additions at properties around 84 Seaview/80 Water Street are inconsistent with the city's harbor management plan, citing encroachment on the federal anchorage and on city-owned street ends.

The commission's decision followed more than two hours of discussion that reviewed drawings, DEEP's August 20, 2025 public-notice package and written license conditions. Commissioners questioned a proposed pair of new floating "finger" docks at the north end of the site, a 16-foot southern float section that extends into what the license describes as the city's apparent riparian boundary, and signage and vessel-length limits DEEP included in its draft approval.

Lynell Jones, a resident who spoke during public comment, cited multiple sections of the Norwalk Harbor Management Plan and said the plan requires evaluation of coastal-resource impacts and protection of public health and safety. "Ensure that all work and structures on, in, or contiguous to the harbor are properly authorized by the appropriate city, state, and or federal authority," Jones said during public comment.

Representatives of the East Norwalk Boat Club urged the commission to press for changes that reduce the risk that transient or rental vessels would block or impinge on adjacent club docks. Diane Granada, identified as the club's commodore during the meeting, said the proposed northernmost finger would "entice" unauthorized tie-ups and had the potential to interfere with the club's active dock. East Norwalk Boat Club member Gabe Denodo said navigation and safety were a concern given existing congestion on the causeway and that 22-foot vessel limits do not account for outboard motors or boats unusually wide in beam.

Commission staff and members reviewed technical details from the DEEP packet: the draft license would limit transient-berth vessels to 17 feet at the southern end and 22 feet at the northern end, require signage stating length limits, and include a condition that roughly 16 feet of the southernmost float must be removed "in the event that the City of Norwalk receives approval for activities that conflict with the licensee's use of this area." Commissioners noted the license language leaves enforcement and timing questions unresolved.

Commission members also discussed distance requirements from the federal anchorage. One commissioner noted the commission historically aimed for a minimum setback from the federal anchorage in the area (previously allowing up to 10 feet in constrained locations, while Army Corps guidance typically uses larger buffers). Commissioners said the current drawing places vessel overhang and engine extents much closer than the commission's practical setbacks and therefore invites future encroachment.

After discussion, a motion that the proposal is inconsistent with the harbor management plan "because of encroachments on the federal anchorage and city-owned street ends" was made and seconded; the commission recorded four votes in favor, zero opposed, with three commissioners recused from the item. The commission directed staff to draft comments reiterating the commission's earlier positions (letters from October and November 2021 were referenced) and to submit those comments to DEEP before the stated public-comment deadline in the license packet.

The commission's review also included a request from several commissioners that DEEP or the applicant lengthen and/or widen the proposed fingers (the packet shows finger widths of about 3 feet and 12-foot lengths at the ends) and remove the northernmost finger, or otherwise redesign the layout so it is less likely to enable vessels to encroach into the federal anchorage or to obstruct adjacent private club docks. Several commissioners said they would include a restatement of the commission's policy requiring no encroachment on city-owned street ends and a practical setback from the federal anchorage in the comment letter.

The applicant's tentative license, as described in the packet discussed at the meeting, contains multiple operational conditions (signage, transient-slip restrictions, sanitary support and a requirement to remove float section if the city approves conflicting uses). The commission's vote does not change DEEP's authority to issue or modify a license; the commission's motion is a formal advisory finding under the Norwalk plan that will be transmitted to DEEP as the commission's recommendation.

The application was the principal item in a long meeting that included other business and committee reports; commissioners said they would circulate the commission's letter to DEEP prior to the public-comment deadline and that the East Norwalk Boat Club indicated it may pursue signatures and request a public hearing.

Votes at a glance: Motion that the DEEP tentative license / dock additions at 84 Seaview/80 Water Street are inconsistent with the Norwalk Harbor Management Plan: outcome approved 4–0, with three commissioners recused. The commission instructed staff to prepare a comment letter referencing the commission's 2021 letters and to submit it before the DEEP public-comment deadline.