Norwalk Historical Commission schedules public hearing on revised demolition-delay ordinance after public concerns

The Norwalk Historical Commission voted to schedule a public hearing on a revised demolition-delay ordinance and asked staff to widen public notice and invite building-department staff to explain how demolition and renovation permits are handled.

The vote came after a resident urged the commission to allow more time for public review and to change the draft ordinance so age alone (70 years or older in the draft) would automatically trigger a referral to the commission. The commission agreed to hold a public meeting/hearing that will include a building-department overview and an opportunity for public testimony; the hearing was set for the commission's November 19 meeting.

Why it matters: Commissioners and members of the public debated how the city can prevent “back-door” demolitions — projects that start as renovations but remove historic fabric — and whether the ordinance should let the commission require outside professional reviews and preserve the city’s older buildings by lengthening the statutory delay period.

At a public-comment slot, Diane Cece, a Norwalk resident, said she had only received the draft two days before the meeting and asked who drafted it and how the public would be notified if the city moves the…