Norwalk selects members for new merged P&Z commission

NORWALK — With the city’s planning and zoning commissions formally merged into one body, members from both were assigned to serve in the new group

Finalized at Tuesday’s Common Council meeting, nine members were elected to the new commission, according to city documents.

Four of the members were formerly on the Zoning Commission: Nick Kantor, Richard Roina, Galen Wells and Zoning Commission Chair Louis Schulman.

Five of the members were chosen from the Planning Commission: Brian Baxendale, Steve Ferguson, Tammy Langalis, Michael Mushak and Planning Commission Chair Frances Dimeglio.

Three alternates were also appointed: Darius Williams, Jacquen Jordan-Byron and Hector Pachas. No more than six members of one political party will be on the joint commission at a time.

“This is the final step in the recombination of the Planning and Zoning Commissions approved by council last term,” council member Tom Livingston said. “These candidates are all very experienced in planning or zoning and reflect all backgrounds throughout the city. There are at least two members from every district. They have the experience. They’ve been through planning and zoning matters in the past.”

The new commission will take in effect on Jan. 11.

The planning and zoning commissions were previously combined in 1971, but a political dispute led to the groups separating in 1988, Livingston has said. The 1971 change was part of a charter revision, and the same amendment will allow the commissions to merge once again.

The plan to merge the two commissions again was in the process for about a year and was first proposed by Livingston in the Common Council’s Ordinance Committee. The new commission will take over the duties of both former commissions, which often overlapped.

The merger won’t cause any real disruption in the approval process for residents. The main difference will be a reduction in the number of meetings applicants will have to attend.