The master plan, a work in progress since 2000, is now in the hands of the common council’s planning committee chaired by Phyllis Bolden. Tim Stelloh of the Norwalk Advocate reports:

Since last month’s election, three new members were added to the committee. Democrat Amanda Brown and Republicans Kelly Straniti and Andrew Conroy replaced former Chairman Matthew Miklave, a Democrat, and Nicholas Kydes, a Republican.

Before then, council members wrestled with revisions that included how the plan defines affordable housing and how it addresses industrial projects in residential neighborhoods.

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I have always thought that Fairfield county has more in common with Westchester county than the rest of Connecticut. Our economies are intertwined, connected by the proximity to NYC, but also generating its own set of issues. With the combined populations of nearly 2 million, the the combined counties rivals cities like Cleveland. Regional thinking within Connecticut is practically unheard of, and between counties in different states, certainly a new way of thinking. But it should happen.

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With the bonding package passed, the state bonding commission plans to release a total of $1,811,853 for improvements to Oyster Shell Park, Reed Street and West Avenue. From The Hour:

“These funds will go toward allowing riverfront access to all of Norwalk’s residents through improvements to the park, as well as survey work and remediation that is needed on recently acquired property,” Rell said. “The money will also go to engineering and architectural expenses over the next two years as the project moves forward. With plans for offices, housing and retail on the site, this project is really putting a new shine on the great city of Norwalk.”

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