Commission approves coastal site plan for second-floor conversion at 12 Main Street

The Norwalk Planning & Zoning Commission approved a coastal site plan allowing the second floor at 12 Main Street to be converted to two residential units while maintaining retail on the first floor.

Applicant representative (identified in the record as Miss Dalfa) told the commission the first floor currently houses commercial uses (a nail salon and a surgical-supply store) and the second floor is vacant. The proposed conversion involves minor interior work, enlargement of a bathroom and no gas stoves; meals would be prepared with hot plates or microwaves rather than full gas ranges. The applicant said existing parking is provided on an adjacent lot and the application was submitted before a CD4 zone parking requirement was added, so no new parking was required for approval.

Staff (Emilia) confirmed the change of use requires coastal site plan review in the CAM zone and said the application is primarily interior work. Commissioners asked clarifying questions on parking, whether converting to a full oven would require a separate zoning or building permit, and whether the applicant would accept a condition related to kitchen appliances; the applicant declined an added condition on stove type. The resolution was moved and seconded and the commission approved the coastal site plan in a roll call that recorded one abstention; the motion passed and the resolution was finalized.

The commission’s staff memo and resolution note standard coastal-site conditions, and staff advised that if the applicant later sought to install a conventional cooktop or oven they would need an over-the-counter zoning permit and an amended building permit.