Applicant withdraws Riverwalk Lane wetland application; staff signals enforcement action

An applicant withdrew a corrective-action wetland application for a Riverwalk Lane property on Aug. 25, and city staff said the withdrawal will not end the matter. Alexis, staff member for the Norwalk Conservation Commission and Inland Wetland Agency, told commissioners the applicant emailed yesterday saying they must withdraw, and staff warned the commission that the withdrawal “will require the city to further pursue enforcement action.”

Why it matters: The application was identified as corrective action, meaning the city retains authority to require remediation even if an applicant withdraws paperwork. Commissioners were told staff is leaning toward issuing an enforcement order that would direct the property owner to carry out a corrective action plan.

Staff update and next steps: Alexis said she had emailed the applicant last week to remind them of a deadline to complete the application and then received the withdrawal notice. She told the commission she will keep commissioners informed and that she is “leaning towards doing another order with directives to implement a corrective action plan.” The chair and other commissioners asked few follow-up questions during the item.

No motion or vote was taken on the floor. The transcript records staff’s statement of intent to pursue enforcement and to bring the matter back to the commission if needed.

What to expect: Alexis said she will report back to the commission; no specific timetable or statutory citation was given in the meeting record. The commission did not take a formal vote or set an enforcement deadline during the Aug. 26 meeting.