Land Use: Zoning, Permitting & Litigation

As part of its continuing effort to review the newly enacted, citywide zoning regulations, the City of Norwalk Planning & Zoning Commission (“Commission”) will commence review of myriad additional revisions to the newly enacted zoning regulations at its August 21, 2024, meeting. Some of the proposed language generated by the
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Carmody Litigation partner, Peter Nolin, is quoted in CT Insider regarding the resolution of a real estate fraud case in Fairfield, CT. https://www.ctinsider.com/connecticut/article/sky-top-terrace-fairfield-ct-real-estate-scam-19555699.php

As part of a continuing effort to review the newly enacted citywide zoning regulations, the City of Norwalk Planning & Zoning Commission (“Commission”) last week approved modifications to the height and bulk requirements of residential structures in certain zones. The Commission re-inserted maximum height requirements into the regulations to supplement
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New inland wetlands and watercourses regulations are under review by the City of Norwalk, CT Conservation Commission (“Commission”). Of note is that the upland review area measured from the boundary of wetlands would extend one hundred (100’) feet instead of the fifty (50’) feet, as currently set forth in the
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Following the February 19, 2024 effective date of the new citywide zoning map and regulations, the Planning & Zoning Commission (“Commission”) recently approved various modifications to the regulations and anticipates similar adjustments in upcoming months. Earlier in April, the Commission adopted changes to the encroachment table to prevent decks from
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Carmody Land Use & Zoning partner Elizabeth Suchy is referenced in the CT Examiner article: Hotel Owners Clash Over Fate of Historic Norwalk Buildings (ctexaminer.com)

Carmody Land Use & Zoning partner Elizabeth Suchy is quoted in The Hour article: South Norwalk Residence Inn clashes with former partner proposing a new hotel next door: ‘Nonsense’ (thehour.com)

Carmody litigators Marc Kurzman and Damian Gunningsmith in a zoning case before the Connecticut Appellate Court – Vrbo Host Is Breaking Zoning Regs, Conn. High Court Told – Law360

Carmody Land Use partner Lisa Feinberg is quoted in the Stamford Advocate article regarding Building and Land Technology’s proposal to convert a four-story office building in Stamford. 354-unit Stamford development gets OK from Planning Board (stamfordadvocate.com)

In 2021, in an effort to curtail money laundering, Congress enacted the Corporate Transparency Act (“CTA”). The CTA will dramatically change the business landscape by requiring mandatory reports from nearly all entities, domestic and foreign. The current effective date is January 1, 2024, but existing entities do not have to file
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The deadline to submit applications to the City of Norwalk, Connecticut Department of Planning & Zoning, Zoning Board of Appeals and Planning & Zoning Commission under the existing regulations and standards of review is February 16, 2024.  This includes zoning permits administratively issued by staff, and special permit, site plan
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After nearly eight months of comments, revisions, and public hearings, the Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of Norwalk, Connecticut, adopted a new zoning map and zoning regulations on December 13, 2023. This is the first comprehensive, citywide revision to the zoning regulations in nearly 40 years. The new
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Following seven months of review, comment, feedback and revisions, the City of Norwalk Planning & Zoning Commission will hold public hearings in December 2023 on the final drafts of the proposed zoning map and regulations. Hybrid public hearings have been scheduled for December 5 and 6, 2023 with the in-person
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Carmody Torrance Sandak & Hennessey LLP is pleased to announce that it has been named to the 2024 Edition of the U.S. News & World Report – Best Lawyers ® “Best Law Firms” list. In this edition, 18 of the firm’s practice areas are ranked in Tier 1, 8 practice
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Hamden officials approve retail cannabis business on Whitney Avenue (nhregister.com)

Carmody clients launch new K9 Resorts dog hotel in Stamford. Partners William Hennessey, Jason Klein and Patrick Hanna advised on zoning and lease issues.

Land Use lawyer Meaghan Miles is quoted in Connecticut Post regarding proposal to open a cannabis dispensary in Stratford. Click here to read more.

Real Estate & Land Use partner, Jay Klein, is quoted in The Norwalk Hour regarding demolition in Norwalk, which will become Connecticut’s first Wegmans.Click here to read more.

“Converting office space to residential homes, particularly outside the central business district, is a fantastic way to combat the housing crisis and reduce office vacancy,” – Carmody Land Use partner Lisa Feinberg represents Building and Land Technology (BLT) on conversion of HQ to apartments. Stamford’s largest developer to convert its HQ into
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Land Use partner, Elizabeth Suchy, is quoted in Nancy on Norwalk regarding the approval of Shangri-La’s second cannabis retail location, making it the third retail location in Norwalk. Click to read more.

Real Estate & Land Use partner, Elizabeth Suchy, is quoted in The Hour regarding a proposal to develop a 204-unit apartment complex where the old Norwalk YMCA is located. Click to read more.

Land Use partner, Elizabeth Suchy, is quoted in The Wilton Bulletin regarding a proposed amendment, which would allow parking requirements to be based on space utilization, rather than gross square-footage. The Norwalk P&Z Commission unanimously approved the text amendment. Click to read more.

The P&Z Commission voted to approve Wilton Center Lofts, a five-story, 42-unit residential building in Norwalk after using Connecticut’s 8-30g affordable housing statute. Click to read more in Good Morning Wilton.Click to read more in The Hour.

Real Estate & Land Use partner, Elizabeth Suchy, is quoted in The Hour regarding the STEM competition held in Norwalk. Click to read more.

Land Use partner, Liz Suchy, is quoted in The Wilton Bulletin regarding the public hearing for a 40-unit, multifamily development at 12 Godfrey Place in Wilton. Click here to read more.

The City of Norwalk Planning & Zoning Commission has scheduled two public hearings on the proposed citywide, comprehensive zoning rewrite and zone map revisions to provide property owners, businesses and other stakeholders an opportunity to share comments, concerns and objections. The hearings will take place on June 21, 2023 and
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Land Use partner Elizabeth Suchy is quoted in Good Morning Wilton regarding the development at 12 Godfrey Place in Wilton. P&Z Questions and Resident Objections May Not be Enough to Stop 12 Godfrey Pl. 8-30g – Good Morning Wilton

Land Use partner William Hennessey quoted in Stamford Advocate in relation to approval for Seaview House Marina approval. https://www.stamfordadvocate.com/local/article/stamford-officials-seaview-house-marina-18087962.php

The Hour article quoting Carmody Land Use partner Elizabeth Suchy. https://www.thehour.com/news/article/norwalk-second-cannabis-dispensary-shangri-la-18081228.php?src=nwkartribbon

As part of the next phase of the City of Norwalk’s comprehensive zoning rewrite, meetings with neighborhood groups and in Common Council districts to present the proposed zoning map and regulations will commence this week. Meetings will be a mix of in-person and Zoom formats, offering property owners, interested parties
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After much anticipation, the Norwalk Planning & Zoning Commission last week released the first draft of the comprehensive revision of its Building Zone Regulations. This initial draft aims to replace Norwalk’s existing zoning regime, which has been in effect since the adoption of zoning in 1929. The release of the draft
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Proposed revisions to the City of Norwalk Building Zone Regulations and Zoning Map will be revealed on Tuesday April 4, 2023 during a virtual presentation on zoom.com. This is the first time in more than 30 years that the City has undertaken a comprehensive rewrite of its regulations, a recommendation
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Carmody Land Use partner, Liz Suchy representing developer J.D. Rich Co. is quoted in The Hour regarding the expansion of a South Norwalk hotel, building demolition approved by Planning and Zoning Commission. Expansion of South Norwalk hotel, building demo approved by P&Z (thehour.com)

Carmody Land Use partner Liz Suchy represented client 127 Woodward Ave, LLC in the zoning approvals for The Sports Haus facility in Norwalk. Click link to read more The Sports Haus bringing indoor pickleball, padel courts to SoNo (thehour.com)

Carmody Land Use partner Lisa Feinberg is quoted in relation to a major new development in Stamford, CT. Click here to read more.

February 9, 2023 On February 9, Jay Klein, Lisa Feinberg and Meaghan Miles are all speaking at the Connecticut Bar Association 2023 Land Use Legislative Update. Click here for more information

January 25, 2023 Carmody Land Use partner, Meaghan M. Miles representing Curaleaf cannabis dispensary, quoted in Stamford Advocate article Stamford OKs second recreational cannabis retailer: Curaleaf (stamfordadvocate.com)

January 21, 2023 Carmody Land Use partner Meaghan M. Miles is quoted in New Haven Register, representing client Fair Haven Community Health Clinic. https://www.nhregister.com/news/article/Food-pharmacy-part-of-Fair-Haven-Community-17731157.php

September 26, 2022 Carmody Land Use partner Liz Suchy representing Norwalk Hospital is quoted in relation to expansion plans. Norwalk Hospital plans expansion | Nancy on Norwalk

Carmody’s Liz Suchy and Mike Sweeney advised clients Stone Realty Associates, LLC and HMTX, in relation to Connecticut’s newest “green” building, located in Norwalk. From floor to roof, Norwalk building opens among ‘greenest’ in CT (thehour.com)

August 10, 2022 Carmody’s Land Use partner Liz Suchy quoted in relation to the reuse of three buildings in Danbury, from offices to residential units. Wilton considers converting office buildings into apartments (wiltonbulletin.com)

The General Assembly passed legislation extending the term of zoning approvals that were effective as of March 10, 2020, the date the Governor declared a State of Emergency to address the COVID-19 pandemic. The adopted legislation is in two parts: Public Act 21-34 (effective June 10, 2021) and HB 6541
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This week, the Governor issued Executive Order: 7JJ (3): THE TOLLING OF LAND USE AND BUILDING PERMITS. This Executive Order extends the period of validity of approval or permits issued by a municipal land use agency or building official so they do not expire during the state of emergency. It
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