What’s Being Proposed?
The developer is requesting permission for a wide range of commercial, entertainment, maritime, and parking facilities on Manresa Island.
Restaurant
Performing Arts Theater
Brew Pub / Distillery
Parking Lots
Event Space
Two-Story Parking Garage
Live Music
According to the developer’s own transportation study
792,000
Projected Annual Visitors
94%
Arrive by Car
10,800+
Vehicle Trips on Local Roads and Woodward Ave. on Summer Weekends
22,560+
Vehicle Trips on Local Roads and Woodward Ave. Each Week in the Summer
60,000+/-
Vehicle Trips on Local Roads and Woodward Ave. Per Year
These numbers come directly from the Transportation Strategy Memorandum submitted with the application.
Why Residents Are Concerned
Traffic & Safety
Local roads like Woodward and Longshore Avenues were not designed for thousands of additional vehicle trips every weekend throughout the year.
Neighborhood Quality of Life
More traffic means more congestion, longer travel times, increased noise levels, and reduced pedestrian safety.
Environment
Concerns about redevelopment on a historically polluted site and its potential impact on nearby wetlands, marine life, and ecosystems.
Future Development
A special zoning district could allow broader commercial uses over time beyond what many residents originally expected for this site.
Key Timeline
Take Action
Attend the Public Hearing
Date: August 19, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: Norwalk City Hall
125 East Avenue, Norwalk, CT
Submit Public Comment
Comments must be received by 12:00 PM (Noon) on August 29, 2026.
Email: skleppin@norwalkct.gov
Subject Line: Public Comment
Sign the Petition
Join your neighbors in opposing the proposed Manresa zone change and help us reach 250 signatures.
Sign the petition today and make your voice heard.
Resources
Developer Application #2026-41 R/M
Transportation Strategy Memorandum
Site Plans and Supporting Documents
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this development already approved?
No. The proposed Manresa Wilds development has not been approved. The application is currently under review by the Norwalk Planning & Zoning Commission. Before any decision is made, the Commission will consider the application, review public comments, and hear testimony during the public hearing.
Can anyone submit comments?
Yes. Members of the public may submit written comments to the Norwalk Planning & Zoning Commission before the published deadline. Residents may also attend the public hearing and provide comments in person. To ensure your comments become part of the official record, they must be submitted by the deadline established by the Commission.
Where do the traffic numbers come from?
The traffic figures presented on this website come directly from the Transportation Strategy Memorandum submitted by the applicant as part of Application #2026-41 R/M. According to the applicant’s analysis, the proposed development could attract approximately 792,000 annual visitors, with 94–95% expected to arrive by car. The memorandum also includes projections for vehicle trips on surrounding roadways during different times of the year.
What happens after the public hearings?
Following the public hearing, the Planning & Zoning Commission will review the testimony, written comments, and application materials before making a decision. Depending on the Commission’s process, it may vote on the application at a subsequent meeting, request additional information from the applicant, or continue deliberations before reaching a final decision.
This website is an information resource created by community members to encourage public participation in the Planning & Zoning process. Information is based on publicly available application materials submitted to the City of Norwalk.