NORWALK — The owner of 34 Garner Street, Daniela Alfaro, requested a variance Wednesday to allow two tandem parking spaces in the front setback after converting a one‑car garage to living space without permits.

Staff said the property, built in 1960, originally complied with prior parking rules requiring a single parking space behind the front setback. Zoning Enforcement Officer Tammy Maldonado told the board the conversion was done without permits and that the property is the subject of a zoning citation proceeding alleging an after‑the‑fact garage conversion and operation of a rooming house because of separate locks and a second kitchen installed without permits.

Maldonado advised the board that restoring the garage would eliminate the need for the requested parking variance, and staff characterized the parking hardship as self‑created by the illegal conversion. The applicant disputed that the converted garage was ever offered separately on Airbnb and said the enclosed space was intended to assist family care needs — specifically to accommodate an elderly parent — and not for short‑term rental use.

"The living space of the garage was never listed on Airbnb," owner Daniela Alfaro told the board. "We never park a car there; it was storage and I enclosed it for family needs." She said the separate kitchen was removed and that she has been cooperating with staff to resolve violations.

Staff confirmed the property owner obtained the house in 2023 and that enforcement proceedings remain open. Maldonado noted that short‑term rental of a single‑family dwelling is not barred by zoning per se, but that accessory dwelling unit rules and ADU/“mother‑in‑law” regulations can limit short‑term rental eligibility and require additional parking.

Because the applicant did not provide full plans or sufficient documentation at the hearing and because staff needs to complete its review, the ZBA continued the matter to July 17 and asked the owner to meet with staff and submit drawings for the board’s review. Commissioners emphasized that work performed without required permits creates enforcement issues and said the applicant should restore or document parking behind the front setback if feasible.

The staff memo read into the record states the requested relief is for parking within the front setback (30 feet required, 0 feet proposed) and for tandem parking; the memo recommends resolving the violation by restoring the garage where possible.

The board did not vote on the variance and left the file open pending submission of complete plans and staff’s further investigation.