Norwalk land-use board continues variance hearing for Harbor View deck after debate over new 25-foot coastal buffer

Norwalk land‑use board members on voice vote continued a public hearing to April 17 on a variance application from Kevin Rath to elevate and make flood‑compliant an existing rear deck at 22 Harbor View Avenue, a waterfront house whose deck currently sits about 17 feet from the mean high tide. The board did not decide on the variance and asked the applicant to consider revised plans.

The application seeks permission to raise an existing deck attached to a house built about 1930 and to add stairs to grade. ‘‘The variance before you tonight is so my son can lift this out to make it flood compliant,’’ Kevin Rath, the property owner and applicant, told the board. Rath said the project would not expand the dwelling’s footprint and that seven neighbors within 100 feet submitted letters supporting the proposal.

Board members and staff framed the request against a recently adopted local requirement — adopted in a February code revision after a state recommendation — that all new…