City Council Agenda Report
February 20, 2024
TO: Honorable City Council
FROM: Jesus M. Gomez, City Manager
BY: John P. Ramirez, Director of Community Development
SUBJECT: HEART OF NORWALK SPECIFIC PLAN UPDATE
Background:
On July 6, 2021, the City Council adopted The Heart of Norwalk Vision Plan for the future of San Antonio Village and the Firestone Corridor, two key neighborhoods in the center of the City. The Plan was developed in partnership with the City, the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) and the consulting firm, The Arroyo Group (TAG). This Vision Plan sets the overall tone for how the study area can grow in both the commercial and housing sectors, while balancing place making and open spaces. The Vision Plan emphasizes providing new commercial amenities, open spaces, complete streets, and affordable housing to support Norwalk residents. In order to implement this vision, staff initiated the development of a Specific Plan that will establish zoning regulations and development standards to make this vision into a reality.
Discussion
The proposed Specific Plan effort intends to establish zoning regulations that will permit housing and desired commercial uses while ensuring that each development contributes to community goals. It will also establish a program of street, open space, and infrastructure projects to support the vision of the plan and future growth, and propose funding and implementation measures needed to implement the proposed Specific Plan.
The Heart of Norwalk project area contains a wide variety of commercial and residential zoning districts. Staff notes that currently within the commercially zoned properties, housing is permitted with a Conditional Use Permit. It is estimated that these commercial sites could reasonably be developed with 2,053 residential units under current zoning regulations. The Specific Plan is intended to be implemented over a 30-year period.
City Council February 20, 2024
Heart of Norwalk Specific Plan Update Page No. 2
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1 Additionally, the development of the Specific Plan will help the City accomplish its Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) of 5,034 units. The Housing Element accounted many of the sites within the Heart of Norwalk area as residential inventory sites available for development.
Therefore, the Housing Element contains a program that commits to adopting the Heart of Norwalk Specific Plan, which would allow residential use.
Community Feedback
The project team have received robust and consistent input for the project since the beginning of the Vision Plan process in fall 2020. The Vision Plan outreach campaign engaged approximately 5,300 residents between December 2020 and March 2021. Nearly 100 residents attended four online events that were held in February and March 2021, 363 surveys were completed by community members, and over 3,000 residents engaged with Heart of Norwalk social media content.
Outreach in the Specific Plan process has consisted of virtual and in-person community workshops and participation at three Front Street events in the summer of 2022. Further community workshops and social media engagement will take place prior to the adoption of the Specific Plan.
Throughout the outreach process, members of the public have consistently expressed the desire for high-quality local commercial options, places to enjoy in groups and spend time in public.
They desire an authentic center to the City, with local and national businesses, places to walk and spend time, nightlife, and spaces that can encourage and celebrate local culture, such as performance arts spaces.
Front Street has been identified as a focal area for local business and nightlife, preserving older buildings and the historic feel of the street, and possibly catering to the younger population of the community. Norwalk Town Square, on the other hand, is seen as a place with shopping, family entertainment, and easy parking. Multifamily residential uses were supported as an appropriate part of these districts, especially as they help make the desired commercial amenities possible. Finally, through surveys and workshops, members of the public also expressed a desire to connect these districts through streets that prioritize walking, biking and public space over traffic movement.
Specific Plan Progress
The project team has initiated the development of the Specific Plan and the Environmental Impact Report (EIR). As part of this process, the City will continue to receive public feedback and additional input regarding the proposed land use plan in order to continue the preparation of the Specific Plan’s zoning regulations and EIR. Additionally, the project team has developed renderings to help envision the potential of the different districts within the Heart of Norwalk.
City Council February 20, 2024
Heart of Norwalk Specific Plan Update Page No. 3
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1 Next Steps
Once a land use plan of the Heart of Norwalk has been established. The project team will continue with the preparation of the Specific Plan and the environmental analysis for the project.
The Specific Plan is anticipated for consideration before the City Council in winter 2024.
Fiscal Impact:
N/A
Citizens Advised:
N/A
Strategic Plan 2023 Implementation:
The recommended action will further the City’s Strategic Plan Goal 3: Create and sustain a resilient and economically prosperous city.
Recommended Action:
Staff recommends City Council receive and file this report and provide feedback on the proposed project.
Attachments:
N/A