The Norwalk Traffic Authority on Sept. 15 approved a no-parking restriction on a short curve of Howard Avenue after staff and residents raised safety concerns. The restriction will cover a relatively short length of the street near the 93 Winfield development where parked vehicles have reduced sight lines.

The restriction was proposed by Traffic, Mobility and Parking (TMP) staff to prevent motorists from shifting to the wrong side of the narrow roadway and to reduce the risk of head-on collisions, TMP staff said. Diane Cece of the East Norwalk Neighborhood Association urged the authority to delay approval to give all affected households notice and to examine whether overflow parking from the new 93 Winfield development is contributing to the problem.

TMP staff told commissioners that the roadway narrows to about 22 feet at the curve and that parked cars there force drivers toward the centerline. Staff said three adjacent households had already signaled approval and that two additional residents emailed support after the agenda was posted. Staff also said property-line vegetation appears to contribute to the sight-line problem and will be addressed with the property owner.

Commissioners discussed options including trimming vegetation, temporarily removing parking on the side with the worst blind spot while staff completes direct outreach to the small set of affected residences, and pursuing the full no-parking segment. Several commissioners said they were reluctant to delay action because of the safety risk.

The authority approved the restriction and directed TMP to notify directly impacted residences and the 93 Winfield property management, to confirm signage locations, to request that the private property owner trim vegetation affecting sight lines, and to report back with installation dates. TMP said sign installation typically follows approval by a few weeks to allow for sign procurement and locating posts, and that staff would expedite outreach and provide residents with the start date once railroad/utility or other third-party approvals (if any) are secured.

The action is regulatory only: it will create a permanent no-parking segment as described in TMP’s memo and does not alter on-site parking at 93 Winfield.