The Norwalk Planning and Zoning Commission approved a plan to replace an existing 1½‑story residence at 5 Gregory Court with a new, approximately 3,500‑square‑foot single‑family house raised to required flood elevations and meeting coastal site plan conditions. Architect Joe Cugno told commissioners the new dwelling will be no closer to the water than the existing home and will be raised to the flood elevation shown on the submitted plans. The project includes typical flood‑compliance conditions, an engineered site plan, and an impervious driveway treatment.
Why it matters: the property sits directly on the water; staff emphasized that a vegetative buffer along the seawall helps stormwater filtration and shoreline resiliency. The applicant agreed to work with staff on a planting plan for the narrow grass strip between the terrace and seawall and accepted that as a condition of approval.
Planning staff said revised survey and site plans received shortly before the meeting addressed most staff comments; the only remaining item was the vegetative buffer behind the residence. The architect said the existing condition includes a 6–8 foot grass strip between the terrace and seawall with mature trees and bushes to the sides; he offered to provide an alternate planting plan if required. Staff recommended and the commission included a condition that the applicant submit a vegetative buffer planting plan and work with staff on its width and species to provide stormwater filtration benefits along the seawall.
The commission moved and seconded the resolution; a roll call recorded support from commissioners present. Conditions in the approved resolution include provision of the revised engineered site plan, driveway impervious surface treatment, compliance with the flood‑compliance comments dated August 19 and submission of a vegetative buffer planting plan to staff for approval prior to final permit issuance.