Traffic authority approves two-hour limits for Cemetery Circle parking after residents object to notice

The Norwalk Traffic Authority voted unanimously Tuesday to impose two-hour time limits on newly striped parking spaces in the Cemetery Circle area, approving regulations staff said are intended to promote turnover for nearby businesses.

The action covered timed parking for spaces on Cemetery Street and East Avenue that staff proposed after Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT) reviews of the reconstruction work. "We're just consistent with the other one ... the parking will be permanent," a TMP staff member said during the meeting, describing the regulation as a way to "facilitate turnover, to support some of the local businesses." The staff presentation noted there are 10 spaces on Cemetery Street, four on East Avenue and three on Gregory Boulevard that will appear once striped.

A resident who identified herself as Miss Cece and said she represents the East Norwalk Neighborhood Association urged the authority to delay or table the item, saying she had only spoken with TMP staff (Benjamin Young) that afternoon and that she had expected more direct outreach. "If your intention now is to make a motion to add an agenda item tonight to actually approve the modifications that were made before you can approve anything…then I think that's kind of underhanded, and it's not in the interest of the community," she said during public participation, and asked the authority to return the item on a future agenda.

Officials and staff told the authority the vote before them was limited to regulating parking in spaces that already were approved through DOT review and prior planning proceedings. One staff member said DOT retains authority over lane assignments on State Route 136 and that the agency had conducted an extensive review and third-party traffic analysis (AKRF). "They have complete jurisdiction over the use of their road," staff said.

Commissioners pressed staff to confirm the scope of outreach and to restate that the current vote addressed only parking regulation, not the roadway redesign. The mayor emphasized the temporary nature of some on-street striping and delineators used during construction and said the permanent configuration would be established through DOT's larger project.

The authority approved the two-hour regulations for the identified spaces by voice vote. Members recorded the measure as passed unanimously during the meeting.

Next steps: staff said the parking will be enforced by the parking authority under the new regulation and that final striping for some Gregory Boulevard spots remains to be completed.