A redevelopment plan for 108 Water Street that would replace a deteriorated shoreline and add a 14-slip marina with a public boardwalk was presented during the Nov. 6 Norwalk Shellfish Commission meeting.

Matt Schuler, the applicant's representative, told commissioners the project 'is a redevelopment of of 18 Water Street' and described removal of existing concrete debris and a new bulkhead with a public-access boardwalk on top. He said some slips would be available for transient use and that upland work would include publicly accessible park and boardwalk space. "We see this as a drastic improvement to the current condition of the site," Schuler said.

Why it matters: the shoreline section discussed sits on the west side of Norwalk Harbor adjacent to historic shellfish grounds and existing marine contractors' yards. Commissioners flagged three main concerns: (1) whether the new bulkhead creates East West "bulkhead creep" into the harbor, (2) the potential displacement of upland boat storage and boatyards, and (3) how any future water-dependent uses such as a shellfish hatchery would handle intake and discharge.

Key facts from the presentation: the project includes a sheet-pile bulkhead installed landward of existing deteriorated structures, removal of concrete debris, a public boardwalk and park, and a 14-slip marina with transient slips. Schuler said state pre-application consultations included comments from the Bureau of Aquaculture and fisheries staff indicating no anticipated impacts to marine species; he also said the bureau considered the site 'pre-disturbed.

Commissioner questions and responses: commissioners asked about an abandoned outfall shown in existing photos; Schuler said it is an 'abandoned outfall' and not connected to an active stormwater system and that the contractor will remove debris. On bulkhead alignment, Schuler said the new bulkhead would be 'behind the existing structures on the waterfront' rather than extending further waterward. Commissioners also asked about a narrow 1 to 1.5-foot gap from the bulkhead to the floating dock; Schuler said the gap is intended to be minimal to maximize slip area and that guardrails and other safety features will be added as needed.

On hatchery space: Schuler said the developer has committed upland interior space for 'water-dependent use' such as a marina or a hatchery, but he had no specifics ready for intake and discharge routing and deferred technical water-quality and stormwater discharge questions to the project's civil/stormwater engineer.

On boatyards and winter storage: commissioners and participants expressed concern that existing upland boat storage and boat-repair yards at the site would be displaced; Schuler said many boats currently stored there are trailerable and that displaced owners would need to find alternate storage. He said the proposal expands recreational slips and public waterfront access where none existed before.

Action taken: Commissioners voted to perform a site inspection of the 108 Water Street property prior to the next Harbor Management Commission meeting; the motion was made and seconded and passed by voice vote. Commissioners emphasized the inspection was not intended to delay approvals and said written comments and standard best-practice language would accompany any referral to state permitting.

What is not decided: this session was a pre-application/state pre-consultation discussion; no formal local permit decision was made by the Shellfish Commission. Planning and Zoning has already approved the upland portion of the redevelopment, and the applicant reported the state pre-application is under review by relevant bureaus.

Next steps: commissioners requested a coordinated site visit with the Harbor Management Commission and said they would forward standard best practices and any technical comments to the state through the formal permit application process. The Harbor Management Commission is scheduled to meet Nov. 19 and the applicant agreed to schedule the site inspection before that meeting.