West Norwalk Association Board Meeting
April 9, 2003
Minutes West Norwalk Association Board of Directors Meeting
April 9th, 2003
President Peter O’Hare called the meeting of the West Norwalk Association to order at 7:39pm
Board Members Present: Peter O’Hara, Sam Jones, Chris Bryan, Gigi Schmidt, Bob Wagman, Mike Coffey, Skip Wilhelm, Manuel llorca.
Presenters Present: N / A
WNA Neighbors Present:, Valerie Martin, Betsy McGowan, Harriet Able
Presentations: N/A
Pre-meeting discussions began with a questioning of attendance for WNA Directors and appropriate repercussions for absentness. A letter of a reminder of duties was suggested.
Next followed an open discussion about Prudential and ongoing questions with the Planning and Zoning application including the conservation easement. Mike Coffey offered some possible scenarios of outcomes by neighbors and what is the ultimate probability of goals. Directors and neighbors discussed the issue of the easement and the outcomes of granting the changes as well as whether or not Prudential needed the West Norwalk Association’s support to get fulfillment of the application.
Regular Meeting
Acceptance of Board Meeting Minutes of March 3rd, 2003: The minutes of March 3rd, 2003 were presented with one correction; Bob Wagman’s named was corrected to reflect the appropriate actions of Alan Murnick. A motion was made by Gigi Schmidt and seconded by Sam Jones to accept the minutes. The motion passed unanimously.
Treasurer’s Report: David Frishkorn was unable to attend, but Peter O’Hare presented the months activities. WNA income included $100 dollars total, of which $50 came from membership dues and $50 from newsletter advertisement. Expenses totaled $739.80 for printing, postage, and mailing of the West Norwalk Association Newsletter. Gigi Schmidt made a motion to accept the financial report which was seconded by Skip Wilhelm. The motion passed unanimously.
Spinnaker: Skip Wilhelm presented a height chart / graph for landscaping and tree design for the proposed Spinnaker development. He compared tree height with the development and showed how the building was quite large comparatively to the existing Translux building and existing cross street condos from the road surface level. He suggested that the WNA ask the planning and zoning board to keep the zoning at light industrial because of this possible aesthetically violent change to the existing surroundings. Peter O’Hare suggested writing to the planning and zoning to let them know the WNA position. It was discussed on as to how the WNA could ask for no change in the light industrial zoning when residential growth was a possible need and consideration.
Bob Wagman stated that he would follow through with a letter to the Planning and Zoning Board stating the following position.
- Ask that the development remain light industrial or
- If it is re-zoned that the proposed development be re-considered.
The motion was made by Bob Wagman and was seconded by Skip Wilhelm.
A calendar date was noted for an open forum to neighbors for Spinnaker set for April 23rd, 2003.
Prudential: Skip Wilhelm suggested that neighbors and directors submit questions to the WNA’s attorney through Manuel Llorca for answering to clear up any legal issues. Manuel agreed to collect them and put them together. He would then give 8-10 days for a response. The questions would be screened to prevent redundancy and unnecessary costs of time. Answers to each neighbor’s questions would then be sent out to everyone.
It was mentioned that Prudential had withdrawn its temporary zoning change application.
Publicity: It was stated that the newsletter was mailed out last week and residents only have to wait for delivery. The bulk mailing was done through Bridgeport using a company called the “works center”. Peter suggested that in the future that the newsletter be mailed through a print and mailing service. Discussion followed about the accuracy of the residential mailing list and the issue of it being last updated.
Roads and Public Works: The ongoing issue of the laying of power lines by Connecticut Light and Power above or below ground throughout Norwalk was discussed. The discussion arose about surrounding towns and either laying the wiring above or below ground and its future impact. Underground supporters scheduled a meeting for April 13th at 4pm. Support was suggested by the WNA. Skip Wilhelm would draft a letter of WNA support to give to Bob Wagman for support of an underground development plan.
A motion to adjourn was made by Skip Wilhelm and seconded by Gigi Schmidt. It was unanimously approve. The meeting was adjourned at 8:53 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Chris Bryan
Upcoming Calendar:
Subject to Change Without Notice
April:
April 23rd – Amendment and special permit hearing for Prudential.
April 23rd – Open forum for Spinnaker
May:
To be announced