Residents urge Norwalk Shellfish Commission to seek independent studies before P&Z acts on Manresa zone

Lynell Jones, a Norwalk resident, told the Shellfish Commission she was asking the commission "to use your authority from the state of Connecticut and the Department of Agriculture to formally request that the Norwalk P and Z Commission table making any decision about creating a new and unique special zone district for Manresa Wilds, LLC until they obtain and allow public review of necessary independent water and land traffic studies and an independent environmental impact assessment."

Diane Cece of Olmstead Place and Miguel Frasconi, president of the Village Creek Homeowners Association, echoed Jones, calling for clearer written reports and additional water testing. Cece urged the commission to expand transparency by providing written committee reports in advance so the public can review materials before meetings. Frasconi said Village Creek has a small private beach within about 150 feet of Manresa Island and said residents need water tests "so that we know our water is safe for children to play in."

Advisory member Stedman and other participants described the site's industrial past — coal stockpiles and later oil-fired operations — and noted concerns that marine sediments could contain legacy contamination. Stedman said DEEP has provided comments on the proposed zone and that individual developments within the zone will still be subject to coastal site plan review and permitting. He urged coordination between harbor and shellfish bodies but did not recommend a final policy outcome at this meeting.

The commission did not take formal action to request P&Z to table the Manresa zone at this meeting. Instead, public concern was recorded and commissioners indicated those concerns would inform future review and comments on permit applications.