Norwalk City orientation outlines statutory powers, permit standards and role of expert evidence

Norwalk City’s conservation and inland wetlands roles are governed by state statute and local ordinance, and the commission must base permit decisions on the administrative record and “substantial evidence,” counsel told members at a staff orientation.

The orientation opened with Matt Cepienza, assistant corporation counsel, explaining the commission’s dual role: “You are a land use board. The inland you are a a inland wetlands and conservation combined board,” and that members “deal with land use” affecting private property rights and public resource protection. He said the Conservation Commission’s authorizing statute is Conn. Gen. Stat. §7‑131a and is reflected in Norwalk’s ordinances in chapter 35; Nick Bamonte of Birch and Moses cited the inland‑wetlands statute, Conn. Gen. Stat. §22a‑36, and Norwalk City code chapter 60a‑1 when…