Norwalk committee authorizes public hearing, referral for lease of South Norwalk Train Station retail space to 'Tacos, Please'

The Norwalk City Land Use and Building Management Committee on March 5 voted unanimously to authorize a public hearing on April 2 and to refer a proposed lease of retail space at the South Norwalk Train Station to the Planning and Zoning Commission for review.

The committee approved a proposal to lease approximately 1,300 (plus or minus) square feet on the inbound side of the South Norwalk Train Station to Adrian Hurtado, doing business as Tacos, Please LLC, for an initial five-year term with two options to extend for consecutive five-year periods. Rent will be negotiated and must be approved by the Norwalk Parking Authority, committee members were told.

Why it matters: the parcel is inside the station's retail footprint and serves daily commuters and nearby residents; a new tenant could change available food service and retail choices at the transit hub. The proposal now moves to a public hearing and to the Planning and Zoning Commission for an 8-24 referral review before any lease is finalized.

Brian Lutz, speaking for the Norwalk Parking Authority, described the background: the space was previously occupied by a tenant called Lobster Craft whose lease expired in August, and the authority manages about 4,300 square feet of retail space at the station. "He's looking to do a grab-and-go style authentic taco stand in that space that... looks really exciting," Lutz said, describing Adrian Hurtado as a "local businessman" who operates a successful Wall Street location.

Lutz also noted a state-level process requirement: "it is a state regulation or state law that we need to go through this process before... getting into a lease with a potential tenant," which the committee followed by setting the public hearing and the referral. The committee did not set rent in the meeting; members were told rent will be negotiated and subject to approval by the Norwalk Parking Authority.

Nicole Ayers moved the items; a second was not recorded in the transcript. Committee members present at the roll call were Council Members Jim Frayer, Nicole Ayers, Nicole Eady and Greg Burnett; Heather Dunn was absent and Mr. Wiggins was expected but not present on the roll call. The committee chair called the vote after the presentation and the actions passed unanimously.

The public hearing is scheduled for the Land Use and Building Management Committee meeting on April 2, 2025. Following that hearing and the Planning and Zoning review, any lease would return to the appropriate authority for final approval and for the Norwalk Parking Authority to set rent and execute the agreement.