Traffic concerns grow around Norwalk's Manresa Wilds Park project
Developers say they fully plan to make sure the number of cars is kept under control
More Stories
Residents of Norwalk's Harborview neighborhood are worrying that their narrow roads will not be able to handle the estimated 7,400 visitors that the upcoming Manresa Wilds Park project is expected to draw on its busiest days.
"Because this is an island, there's one way in, one way out, so it's going to change our life dramatically," said Kim Tromba, who lives near the entrance.
"It doesn't feel as safe anymore," agreed Wendy Sloane, another neighbor.
Those concerns only great at a recent Norwalk Planning and Zoning meeting, where developers asked to include things like an amphitheater, overnight lodging and a parking structure in the potential uses for the new zoning framework.
"We've looked at the website very, very carefully, and all of a sudden boom, we've got new plans, so I feel like we've been a bit conned here," said Mel Sokotch, who also lives in the area.
Developers say that is not what is happening though.
Based on government and Planning and Zoning terms, the small outdoor classroom they want to build gets classified as an amphitheater
Meanwhile, overnight lodging could be for local students and teachers, and does not necessarily mean a hotel.
Either way, Manresa Wilds says it has no plans to build lodging or a parking garage at the moment, but it does say down the line, those are things that could be needed.
"We're trying to anticipate future uses - ones that are not planned for today, or even planned for year five, but things that we can be responsive to," explained Jessica Vonashek, the executive director of Manresa Island Corp.
Sokotch, however was not convinced, saying that reasoning "sounds like (expletive), it really does - why would they be talking about a multi-level garage, if they weren't thinking specifically about doing those things?"
Vonashek says zoning approval would not be a rubber stamp to build.
A parking garage or hotel would still need to go through a separate approval process to get built.
"This is really an approval that allows us to have conversations about what the city is comfortable with, and what the city is not comfortable with," she explained.
The city will be holding two more public hearings in July, before the Planning and Zoning Commission is expected to take its final vote in either late summer or early fall.
Developers say after that is done, they will have a full idea of what can and cannot be built on the island, which will also give them a better idea of what traffic will look like.
"Managing traffic is our responsibility, and we absolutely are committed to doing that, we just need more information," Vonashek said.
"I hope they take us into consideration - our families that live here, and what this place used to be," Sloane said.
Manresa Wilds hopes to have its actual site plan, and full traffic study, some time in 2027.
