Norwalk council forwards Orchard Hills rezoning request to Planning & Zoning to consider splitting Parcel 1 into residential and commercial

The Norwalk City Council on Jan. 8 voted to initiate a rezoning referral for the Orchard Hills planned unit development, directing staff to send the request to the Norwalk Planning & Zoning Commission for review.

City staffer Luke said the proposal would split what was formerly Parcel 1 into two pieces: Parcel 1b as a specifically residential parcel (developers have discussed apartment concepts) and Parcel 1a locked for commercial use or retained as a commercially designated parcel. Luke described the area as part of the city's "new urban" land use zone, where higher-density residential and commercial frontage are encouraged and site plans are intended to front buildings to the street with parking behind.

Council member Heather Meineke moved to initiate the rezoning referral and Council member Andy Borjan seconded. The motion carried after roll call; staff noted this initiation sends the matter to Planning & Zoning but that any final rezoning would return to council after public hearings and analysis.

Staff acknowledged that parcel uses and intensity could be revisited in subsequent reviews: Parcel 1a could still be proposed as apartments later if an applicant requests it, but under the current proposal the property owners were willing to restrict 1a to commercial uses and lock 1b as residential. Planning & Zoning will review detailed plans and return a recommendation to council.