Planning commission recommends rezoning of two Fifth Lane parcels to allow single-family lot

The Norwalk City Planning and Zoning Commission on Sept. 8 recommended approval of a zoning amendment to change roughly 1.6 acres at 8481 and 848540 Fifth Lane from AR (Agricultural Reserve) to RE1 (Single Family Rural Estates).

City planning staff member Elliot briefed the commission, saying, “What they are requesting is for a rezoning of the back approximately third of their lot as well as a lot further to the west,” and that the applicants intend to combine those pieces after rezoning to “form a development parcel.” Elliot also explained that the change would provide frontage onto a detention basin and relieve the large setbacks required by agricultural zoning.

Neighbor Molly Baker, who identified herself as living at 7988 Adams Street, asked how many homes could be placed on the parcel; Baker asked, “How many homes can potentially be put on that property?” A staff member responded, “It should be 1.” The applicant (speaking from the property) confirmed the plan to combine the rezoned lots into a single lot after approval and to file a plat of survey to document that combination.

Commissioners raised no substantive objections in deliberation. A motion to approve the proposed zoning amendment carried on the roll call with Commissioners Steiger, Samuelson, Eaton, Thompson and Reaganator voting aye. The commission closed the public hearing before voting.

Next steps noted in the hearing: after the commission’s recommendation, the applicants are expected to file a plat of survey to combine the lots; the rezoning request was presented as a rezoning/recommendation item to the commission. No additional formal conditions or approvals were recorded in the transcript.

The record shows no homeowner association for the detention basin; one participant described the pond as functioning like an HOA but said “no HOA. We just share in the cost.”