Neighbors press concerns about noise, runoff and past violations at Pena armory yard; commission orders third‑party review and continues hearings

The Norwalk Conservation Commission/Inland Wetlands Agency on Jan. 28 held extended public hearings on two linked applications for the Pena armory site at New Canaan Avenue — a restoration plan responding to a cease-and-restore order (S24-648) and a proposed modification to expand contractor-yard operations (S16-499B). Neighbors testified they have observed vegetation removal, standing water changes and increased noise and vibration since the site’s change in operations; the commission ordered a third‑party review and continued both hearings.

Brian Carey of LandTech, the applicant’s wetland consultant, presented an updated restoration plan that the team said adds roughly 4,570 square feet of plantings, including a proposed replanting of approximately 60 native trees (4–6 feet tall) and an additional shrub layer and wetland seeding. Carey said the applicant has submitted a draft five‑year monitoring plan and will guarantee 85% vegetation survival; he asked the commission for additional time to respond to engineering comments from the city and to neighbor input regarding evergreen screening.

Neighbors and intervenors pressed the commission for more analysis. Land‑use attorney Megan Miles, representing adjacent property owners, told the agency that neighbors want evergreen screening in the regulated area to address year‑round visibility and noise, and asked for a fuller analysis of biological impacts and stormwater effects from the years the yard has been operating. Other residents described lower pond levels they attribute to the site, reported concrete debris and raised concerns about dust, light, noise and processing of materials on site.

Commissioners and staff discussed the scope of the restoration application (limited to replanting and monitoring) and a separate application addressing stormwater and yard expansion. Staff confirmed both applications are on the record and that planning-and-zoning special-permit matters will be handled separately by that commission. After public comment, commissioners voted to require a third‑party review of wetland impacts and to continue the public hearings to the commission’s Feb. 11 meeting so the applicant can respond to engineering comments and neighbor concerns; the continued hearing will also allow staff to add any additional documentation into the record.

The commission asked the applicant to provide a consolidated permitting history, an acoustical engineer’s input on noise/vibration, a clarifying analysis of stormwater pretreatment for the proposed infiltration system, and a complete list of proposed plant species and monitoring details. The applicant agreed to produce updated plans after receiving town-engineer comments and to work with staff and neighbors on screening alternatives.