Minutes of the West Norwalk Association Board
March 8, 2016
Board Members Present: Ken D’Arinzo, Brian Forschino, Isabelle Hargrove, Kristen Clemens & Rob Notley. Fred Wilms attended as a guest. Anthony Carano was not present.
In lieu of a regular monthly meeting, the Board met with Dr. David Levinson and Dr. Rose Ellis of Norwalk Community College to discuss the status of the proposed pedestrian bridge and parking issues at the college. Dr. Levinson told the Board that he has communicated to the State that the college no longer wants to pursue the bridge project. While the bridge project was not considered completely dead, Dr. Levinson did not expect that it would move forward.
Dr. Levinson discussed other options for narrowing of Richards Avenue to assist with traffic, parking and safety concerns, including allowing parallel parking along the College. The Board expressed concern regarding the potential for students to cross Richards Avenue between parked cars, reducing visibility and increasing the change for collisions.
The Board also discussed, the current parking situation including students parking on grass areas surrounding the parking lots. Dr. Levinson agreed that students who are in a hurry are more likely to park on the grass nearer to their classroom then find an open parking spot in a lot that is further away. The College had looked into building a parking structure behind the West Campus, however, building a below grade parking structure was not viable due to permit issues and a raised structure was not viable due to the high cost. In order to stop students from parking on the grass, the College has put up cones and will be installing large rocks along the grass areas.
One of the issues raised by Dr. Levinson was that the College does not have its own campus police force and is not able to enforce parking violations. The College has asked for permission from the Board of Regents to establish a campus police force which would help with parking enforcement.
Dr. Levinson did indicate that it will lose some parking spots as a result of the theater expansion but that the College does not believe it will be a significant problem.
Dr. Levinson and Dr. Ellis agreed to keep the Board apprised of changes in the plans and the Board offered any assistance to them going forward.