Norwalk conservation panel approves corrective-action restoration at 284 New Canaan Ave., clears two other permits and tables one hearing

The Norwalk Conservation Commission and Inland Wetland Agency on Feb. 25 approved a corrective-action restoration plan for property at 284 New Canaan Avenue that requires replanting and site restoration after recent clearing, and approved two additional permit matters with conditions. The commission also continued one public hearing to its March 11 meeting.

The corrective-action approval for 284 New Canaan Avenue addresses recent clearing of woodland within both the regulated wetland and adjacent upland review areas. According to the staff report presented to the commission, roughly 14,500 square feet of upland woodlands were cleared; the application proposes restoring about 21,000 square feet across the cleared upland, cleared wetland and an intervening area near an existing contractor yard. The restoration plan calls for planting 60 trees, 240 shrubs and installing a seed mix. The commission approved a draft resolution with conditions and amended special condition number 3 to change the planting language from “may” to “shall” regarding the addition of evergreen trees in the restoration area, so long as installed species are appropriate and native to the upland buffer.

Why it matters: The action requires restoration on private land after a violation/order, and sets specific plantings and verification that will alter the site’s vegetation and habitat. The commission’s amendment to require (shall) evergreen plantings responds to nearby property-owner requests for year-round screening.

The panel voted to approve the resolution with the amended language. Commissioner Heather Breslin announced she would abstain from the vote; the motion carried with a majority approval.

Two other agenda items were approved with conditions. At Strathmore Lane Condominium (file S25-651), the commission approved removal of a surface court and measures related to its conversion (the application had proposed turning a panel tennis court into a pickleball court but staff and the commission emphasized limits on construction). The approval includes conditions that access to the former court area be limited to pedestrian access (no heavy machinery), and that a minimum of 25 shrubs be planted in the former court area within one month of court removal. Staff indicated the commission’s written permit and paperwork will be mailed to the applicant, who was identified in the meeting as Mr. Lyons.

For the corrective-action matter at 143–145 West Norwalk Road (file S25-652), the commission approved a resolution with standard conditions tied to corrective actions previously ordered. The conditions included posting a bond, following the proposed buffer plan, written verification from a landscape architect regarding removal of wood chip fill and grading, and other standard completion verifications.

A separate public hearing on file S16-499B was continued at the applicant’s request. The applicant said they will retract proposed yard expansion and acoustical buffer elements from the pending application and submit revised plans focused on the corrective-action items; the commission left the public hearing open and rescheduled further consideration for the March 11, 2025 meeting, at 7:00 p.m.

Other routine business: The commission accepted minutes from its prior meeting and adjourned. Staff noted Alexis will be absent at the next meeting and Miss Williams will cover in her stead.

Votes at a glance - 24-648 (284 New Canaan Ave.) — Approved, with amendment requiring evergreen plantings in Special Condition #3; Commissioner Heather Breslin abstained; majority in favor. - S25-651 (Strathmore Lane Condominium) — Approved with conditions limiting access to pedestrian-only and requiring at least 25 shrubs planted within one month; commission president recorded as abstaining; majority in favor. - S25-652 (143–145 West Norwalk Road) — Approved with standard corrective-action conditions (bond, buffer plan, landscape-architect verification); one abstention reported (Kat); majority in favor. - S16-499B — Public hearing continued to March 11, 2025; public hearing remains open at applicant’s request.

The commission did not adopt new policies or take litigation action at the meeting; decisions were limited to permit resolutions, planting and verification conditions, and scheduling a continued hearing.