Conservation commission approves revised Norwalk single‑lot plan, requires two trees within 100‑foot upland review area

The Norwalk Conservation Commission on Feb. 10 approved application S25‑660, a revised single‑lot development plan that widens the buffer from an adjacent watercourse and alters the planting plan, with a new condition requiring two native shade trees be planted within the 100‑foot upland review area.

The applicant’s wetland scientist, Bill Kenny, and engineer Brian French described changes that shifted grading and drainage to increase setback distances. "We were able to bump the grading ... at the closest point now, 45 feet, and at other points, 46, 51 feet," Brian French said, summarizing contour adjustments that pulled proposed site improvements farther from the wetland.

Commission staff proposed a modification to the draft approval memorandum that would make the planting requirement a special condition of approval. Alexis, identified in the meeting as senior environmental officer for the conservation office, told the commission the condition could read to require "a minimum of two native Connecticut shade trees, 2‑inch caliper at planting, be planted somewhere within the Upland Review area." The commission adopted that language as part of the approval.

Commissioners pressed the applicant on tree retention within the Upland Review area, noting the value of preserving existing canopy rather than relying only on new plantings. Bill Kenny said the revised plan saves several trees along the wetland edge and concentrates new plantings close to the house and along a boulder demarcation to define the buffer: "We concentrated it right along the edge with the boulder demarcation to help fortify that and make that area even further defined," he said.

The commission discussed tradeoffs between in‑place preservation and planting replacement, and requested that staff prepare a memorandum reflecting the amended special condition. A motion to approve the application as drafted, with the amendment to special condition #5 requiring the trees within the Upland Review area, was moved, seconded and carried unanimously.

Next steps: Alexis will prepare the final approval memorandum and the applicant will be bound by the special conditions. If neighbors believe on‑the‑ground work violates the resolution or permit terms, staff said members of the public may file a written complaint so staff can inspect and, if warranted, initiate an enforcement action.