SCH Number 2022020128

Project Info

Title

Norwalk Entertainment District – Civic Center Specific Plan Project

Description

The City has prepared a DEIR to analyze environmental impacts associated with implementation of the proposed project, which would include the establishment and implementation of the Norwalk Entertainment District-Civic Center Specific Plan. The proposed project seeks to implement the City’s Economic Development Opportunities Plan, which identified the project site as an area for the promotion of economic development, by revitalizing the project site with the development of a vibrant community-focused development. The proposed project described in the specific plan includes the construction of a mixed-use development with residential, commercial, and open space uses on the location of the current City Hall Lawn and surface parking lot. Up to 350 residential units and associated amenities would be developed. Up to 110,000 square feet of commercial uses would be developed and would include a mix of retail, food and beverage, health and wellness, and/or grocery/market uses. The proposed project would include ground-floor open space that would be publicly accessible but privately maintained and operated, and residential open space areas for residents. Assuming full buildout as provided in the specific plan, the proposed project would construct 651 parking spaces within the new mixed-use buildings. The remainder of the parking spaces required for the proposed project pursuant to the specific plan would be within the existing 1,050-space parking garage. The proposed project would also allow for the construction of up to two additional stories on the existing parking structure (700 additional parking spaces). No modifications are proposed to the existing Norwalk City Hall building or the small portion of the County accessory building (located south of City Hall) that are within the project site. Construction of the proposed project, in accordance with the proposed specific plan, is anticipated to begin in 2023 and last up to 23 months. A general plan map and text amendment is proposed to establish a land use designation of “mixed use” and apply this designation to the project site. A zoning text and map amendment is proposed to establish the proposed specific plan as the zoning for the project site and to remove the existing Public Facilities Overlay designation from the project site. The proposed project would also include other discretionary actions from the City and other public agencies including, without limitation, ground lease(s), reciprocal easement agreement(s), parking lease and/or license, easements, master conditional use permit(s) for alcohol, a development agreement, and other agreements or actions of the City or other public agencies in furtherance of the proposed project. The development area of the project site is owned by the City but is proposed to be developed by the applicant through a public private partnership with the City, which may include, among other things, one or more lease(s) or other agreements with the applicant relating to portions of the project site in order to implement the development authorized by the specific plan.

4 documents in project