Norwalk hearing officer continues four zoning-citation cases; contingent fine removed after permits verified

Hearing officer Gary Ober continued four zoning-citation matters during a March 25, 2026 session in Norwalk City, directing specific next steps for each property and removing one contingent fine after the city confirmed permits had been obtained.

Ober opened the hearing and explained the procedure: "The city will present its findings. You'll have an opportunity to be heard," he said. He and city staff — including Deputy Zoning Inspector John Hayducki and Zoning Enforcement Officer Tammy Maldonado — handled four cases: 218 Flax Hill Road; 318 Strawberry Hill; 264 Flax Hill Road; and 36 Taylor.

In the 218 Flax Hill matter, attorney Emily Wilson, representing Mray Properties, told the hearing a survey delivered March 12 confirmed the parcel’s unit count and the number of legal parking spaces but showed the existing parking is within the front setback. City staff said the use itself is allowed but the parking location is not, so the property will need a variance from the Zoning Board of Appeals. Staff discussed options including reconfiguring parking to the rear — a solution described as potentially expensive because it would require excavation and fill — and agreed an application to the ZBA is the appropriate path. The hearing officer set a return for May 21 and noted a filing deadline of April 16; he also warned that unresolved violations could expose the owner to fines (he referenced an amount “somewhere near $28,500”).

The case at 318 Strawberry Hill centered on a tenant who occupied space without completed permits. City staff said the tenant picked up a zoning packet on Jan. 22 but had not completed the building-permit and final inspection steps needed to clear occupancy. The property representative and owner described difficulties securing inspections and working through fire- and building-department requirements; the owner said he is prepared to pursue eviction if compliance does not occur. The hearing officer set an oral return/notice for April 22 to check progress and left the violation active.

For 264 Flax Hill Road, the hearing record indicates building, electrical and plumbing permits were issued (building permit Jan. 21; electrical Feb. 25; plumbing Feb. 26) and work was underway. With that verification, the hearing officer removed a previously imposed contingent fine and found "substantial progress," while continuing the matter to the May 21 session to allow inspections to be completed and final sign-off obtained.

At 36 Taylor, staff said full building permits were issued March 6 but the building department requested more-detailed plumbing plans on March 17, which delayed final certificate-of-zoning compliance (COZ) issuance. The owner said the disputed apartment area has been vacated and that contractors are working toward compliance. The hearing officer continued the case to May 21 and did not assess the full contingent fine at this time.

The hearing closed with scheduling notes: several matters were continued to May 21 (the next date multiple cases will return to the calendar) and one case was set for an April 22 check-in. Ober reminded attendees that staff and owners could coordinate meetings off the record to resolve technical items before return dates.

What's next: cases return for status checks (April 22 and May 21). If permits and inspections are completed before those dates, staff may remove enforcement holds; if not, fines and additional enforcement steps remain possible.