Planning commission approves Westport Avenue fire‑station renovation and easement referrals for two school HVAC projects; authorizes architectural peer review

The Norwalk Planning & Zoning Commission approved several routine but important municipal projects at its meeting.

Fire station renovation: City building and facility director Alan Lo described a $4 million renovation and modest addition to Westport Avenue Fire Station (Station 4), intended to accommodate an additional company and improve crew living, decontamination, ADA access and hazardous‑material remediation. The changes are intended to rebalance staffing across districts and shorten second‑unit response times. After the presentation by Lo and a brief explanation by the fire representative, commissioners approved the referral.

School electrical easements: Lo also explained two separate 824 referrals so Eversource can install new primary service and transformers for school HVAC projects funded in part by a state grant (eligible for a 60% reimbursement stream). The city has been installing conduit and transformer pads; Eversource will not install equipment until easements are recorded. Commissioners approved both referrals by show of hands.

216 East Avenue peer review: The commission authorized hiring an outside architectural peer reviewer to begin design review for proposed façade changes at a 216 East Avenue gas station property in the EVTZ village district. The action authorizes a review (likely by BFJ, per staff outreach) and does not itself approve final design work.

What’s next: Projects proceed to permitting and implementation steps; the school projects continue to seek final Eversource installation pending recorded easements; the 216 East Avenue proposal will return following peer‑review comments.