East Norwalk plan disregards traffic
I have read the documents on the East Norwalk Development plan and have attended some of the public meetings as well. I write now to express my concerns. While development of the East Avenue area in East Norwalk is needed and would be desirable, the plan adds significantly to the density of the neighborhood without addressing key problems, specifically:
1) Inadequate parking for the population density proposed, resulting in seriously insufficient parking on already at-capacity residential streets;
2) Excess traffic — and corresponding noise and pollution — to a degree far greater than this largely residential area can accommodate;
3) Large load trucks cutting through the neighborhood through the proposed lowering of the street under the Metro-North bridge to accommodate larger vehicles, thereby creating traffic, noise, pollution, and inadequate safety for pedestrians;
4) Unacceptable density of housing at the former Bank of America property and the Wells Fargo property through housing developments far in excess of surrounding single-family residential areas without commensurate green space;
5) Significant increase in truck traffic throughout East Norwalk and Strawberry Hill areas with the proposed Norden Place plan without the necessary impact studies on traffic and traffic control rendering local streets impassable at peak hours;
6) Insufficient space at Marvin School for the influx of new students living in apartments; and
7) Severe lack of green space and other residential amenities.
The plan is apparently based on a survey by the planning and zoning commission of all residents of East Norwalk. We have lived in this neighborhood for 40 years and not once has anyone contacted us for our opinion about the redevelopment plan. The city can allow the Tyvek Temple to stand empty and as an eyesore for years while decimating once viable businesses on Wall Street and do nothing, yet invade our peaceful village already struggling every summer with beach traffic with a proposal to significantly increase traffic and density in the guise of attractive village improvement.
Redevelopment of the factory outlets and the immediate frontage along East Avenue is necessary and desirable but not without thought about the impact of increased density on traffic flow, parking, and education. The current plan proposed does not address our glaring density and traffic problems.
The plans discuss at some length the increased housing and commercial development added to the area, but I do not see similar attention paid to residential amenities, in particular green space and pedestrian safety. There is already insufficient parking at the East Norwalk train station, a situation that has been clear to any commuter for well over 30 years. How does this plan address the significantly increased need for commuter parking if the proposed housing complexes are filled to capacity?
I am also concerned about summer beach traffic. During the summer, traffic to Calf Pasture Beach along Gregory Boulevard is loud and excessive. In frustration, many beach goers cut through on Pine Hill Avenue, often driving with excessive speed. Residents of Pine Hill fought for and finally succeeded in getting speed bumps on this street, but only after several serious auto accidents. Safety has improved as a consequence; noise level has not. You can see this first hand by driving along Pine Hill any day in July. Try to navigate this street on July 4; the traffic does not clear out until midnight on a street that is 100 percent residential.
While I am in favor of judicious development of East Norwalk, in particular along East Avenue from the Metro-North East Norwalk train station to I-95, I do not believe the city has devoted enough attention to securing input from the residents of East Norwalk about the details of the plan, in particular what residents would consider as an appropriate level of density and about desirable amenities that would increase our property values. I have no doubt that the plan enhances the value of commercial property owners, and one assumes the tax base of the city, but I believe the current plan seriously undermines the value of residential property in East Norwalk.
We could have a great plan for this beautiful area where I have enjoyed living for 40 years, but in my opinion, this plan does not come close to fulfilling its potential.