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Public urges funding for East Avenue safety study; residents press city on solar and oppose artificial turf in parks
Summary
At a public hearing on the capital budget, residents and neighborhood groups urged the commission to support restoring funding for a $450,000 East Avenue safety and design study, to add amenities at the Brunell/Belden bus hub and to press for more solar on public buildings.
Norwalk residents, neighborhood groups and planning commissioners used a public hearing on the city’s capital budget to press for a funded safety study of East Avenue, better amenities at the Brunell/Belden bus hub and stronger commitments on renewable energy for public buildings.
The commission opened the public portion of its capital-budget review to gather comments for its advisory role; planning staff reminded attendees the commission can recommend priorities to the mayor and Common Council but does not itself adopt a capital budget.
What speakers asked for and why - East Avenue safety study: Anthony Pavia, representing the City Hall Neighborhood Association and Norwalk Green Association, urged funding for a previously proposed East Avenue design study, saying crash data support the need for a dedicated safety and redesign investigation. Mr. Pavia and other commenters noted reconstruction of nearby Route 16 and future redevelopment make the corridor an urgent candidate for traffic-calming and pedestrian improvements. A department line-item for an East Avenue project of $450,000 appears in the department request but was zeroed out in the CFO’s recommendation; commenters asked the commission to flag it for the mayor’s office and council. - Bus hub amenities and public restroom: Multiple speakers, including Tanner Thompson and Mark Allen, asked the city to plan around the Norwalk Transit District bus hub at Brunell/Belden. They urged the city to incorporate a public restroom and reconfigured bus bays so buses could park parallel rather than diagonally, improving circulation and pedestrian safety. - Renewable energy on public buildings and opposition to artificial turf: Longtime resident Diane Loricella made an extended statement urging the commission to press the city to adopt an assertive renewable-energy policy for public buildings (rooftop, ground-mounted, carport solar or geothermal). She also urged the commission to oppose using artificial turf at the Broad River Baseball Complex, citing concerns about stormwater, proximity to a drinking-water wellfield, and studies linking turf materials to higher injury rates.
Staff and next steps Planning staff told the commission the item will return to the commission’s agenda with a more detailed review of capital requests; the commission cannot appropriate funds but can provide recommendations to mayoral and council decision-makers. Several commenters asked the commission to send a formal memo to the mayor recommending the East Avenue study be restored in the capital program.
Speakers quoted (excerpted) - Anthony Pavia, City Hall Neighborhood Association: “This project is very much in line with the POCD and, thus should be funded.” - Diane Loricella, resident: “I do again wanna reiterate that I believe the good people on this commission… I would like to see you have line item comments.”
Ending The public hearing closed with staff saying the commission will collect testimony and that the capital-budget item will be back on a future agenda for more detailed review. The commission’s role will remain advisory; any funding decisions rest with the mayor’s office and the Common Council.
