Harbor commission finds Shorefront Park dock revision inconsistent with harbor plan after neighbor objections

The Norwalk Harbor Management Commission reviewed a revised application for 26 Shorefront Park on March 26 and recorded that the proposal is inconsistent with the city’s Harbor Management Plan, following objections from the South Norfolk Boat Club and debate about setbacks, dredging alternatives and navigation safety.

The commission’s action came after a public comment from Glenn Persino, who identified himself as chairman of the South Norfolk Boat Club’s marine committee and said his group was concerned the proposed extension would bring larger vessels into the club’s fairway, limit safe maneuvering and encroach on areas historically kept clear for navigation. “I just hope you would take that into consideration before approving the application,” Persino said during public comment.

The applicant, represented by Jim Bajek and consultant John Hiltz, said the original plan — which included a dredging request — was refused by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP). In response, the applicant revised the design to extend an existing finger float and move or add pilings rather than dredge. Hiltz described the modified plan as a 3-by-20-foot float extension, the relocation and addition of pilings to secure it, and removal of a 2-by-30-foot section of the main dock to offset the added float area.

Commissioners discussed several technical and policy issues. Members noted DEEP’s longstanding policy distinguishing dredging for residential boating access from dredging for commercial, water-dependent uses, and that DEEP and the Shellfish Commission had withheld dredge approvals because the area is mapped as natural shellfish beds. Commissioners also cited a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers setback practice described in the applicant’s materials that allocates roughly 25 feet of turning distance to each adjacent facility based on median recreational vessel lengths.

Commissioners and staff questioned whether the revised float would still create conflicts with the South Norfolk Boat Club’s permitted slips and with a nearby city street-end right of way; staff noted a 50-foot city right-of-way near the location. Commissioner Chris McDonald moved that the commission find the proposed configuration inconsistent with the Harbor Management Plan on the grounds of setback policy and potential vessel conflicts; Commissioner Chris White seconded the motion. The motion passed with abstentions recorded; commissioners also said the applicant may still submit the plan to DEEP and other permitting authorities and that the commission reserved the right to review any full application in detail.

Persino urged the commission to consider reducing any proposed extension by about 4 feet to preserve fairway space; he also said the South Norfolk Boat Club has historically paid for dredging and maintenance of its fairway and was concerned larger vessels could back into their navigation zone. Bajek and Hiltz said the stated purpose of the revision is to allow the property owner to keep a 24-foot powerboat off the bottom at low tide and not to permanently host a substantially larger vessel; Hiltz said the owner had discussed possibly moving into the low 30-foot range but that no larger-size vessel was the explicit application.

Commissioners recommended that the applicant obtain written acknowledgment from adjacent property owners where the proposal approaches their permitted docks (the applicant said he would seek written forgiveness from the neighboring marina) and that the commission would review the complete application should it be formally submitted. The commission’s recorded position — that the current proposal is inconsistent with the Harbor Management Plan — will be conveyed to DEEP and other permitting authorities as part of the record.

The commission discussed related harbor items during the same meeting, including a separate text-amendment review to define “car clubs” in an SDL-LI zoning district (the commission raised no objection provided outdoor vehicle storage and repairs remain prohibited) and a pre-application by a private yacht club at 01:38 Water Street to reconfigure floating docks (the commission moved that forward with standard language and reserved right to review the full application). Those items advanced separately from the Shorefront Park matter.

The commission’s action on 26 Shorefront Park is a procedural, advisory finding; staff and commissioners repeatedly clarified that it does not itself grant or deny permits. The applicant may proceed to file permits with DEEP and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; the commission indicated it will review the full application and supporting documentation when formally submitted.