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Commission broadens 'medical office' definition to include outpatient surgical facilities
Summary
Norwalk approved a city‑wide zoning text amendment to expand the definition of 'medical office' to explicitly include outpatient and ambulatory surgical facilities, a change proponents said could help fill vacant office space and move minor procedures out of hospital operating rooms.
The Planning and Zoning Commission on July 1 adopted a city‑wide text amendment to the zoning regulations that expands the definition of "medical office" to include outpatient and ambulatory surgical facilities.
Chris Cocatus, representing 595 Westport A LLC, said the change is not specific to a single parcel but would permit hospitals and medical groups to lease vacant office space for minor outpatient procedures that currently require hospital operating rooms. Cocatus told the commission the property owner is exploring highest‑and‑best use for the vacant portion of a multi‑unit office property and that hospitals and clinical operators have expressed interest in leasing space for ambulatory procedures.
Staff noted the change is a city‑wide text amendment and that neighbor notification rules differ for text amendments compared with site‑specific applications; no members of the public spoke during the hearing. Commissioners generally expressed support, citing potential to activate vacant office stock and to reduce pressure on hospital facilities. The commission voted unanimously to adopt the amendment; staff will update the zoning definitions accordingly.
