As density in the City of Norwalk increases – ordinance enforcement and quality of life issues remain a key concern. More people, means more issues. The Mayor’s Dashboard indicated that there were 508 reports of blight in 2019, but we don’t know the resolution or the relative significance of the number relative to other cities our size.
In examining best practices, the State of Connecticut highlighted sample blight ordinances from a range of city populations including: Woodbury, Coventry, Wethersfield, Middletown, Fairfield, Danbury, Waterbury, Hartford and Bridgeport. Sample CT City/Town Blight Ordinances https://www.cga.ct.gov/2013/rpt/2013-R-0422.htm
Under pressure, Norwalk did update its blight ordinance in 2019, but it’s yet unclear how effective or enforced it has been.
A recent random survey calling for reports from Norwalk residents regarding neighborhood concerns over parking violations, overcrowded streets and houses, as well as unsafe living conditions, resulted in 50 streets named. No doubt, there are more.
What Can We Learn from our Neighbors?
The City of Danbury has implemented a Unified Neighborhood Inspection Team (UNIT.) The UNIT has become the state’s model in combating Health, Housing, Zoning and Fire code violations. The UNIT is responsible for resolving various neighborhood concerns ranging from illegal apartments, blight, parking violations, neighborhood nuisances and overcrowded, unsafe living conditions. Additionally, the UNIT partners with the Danbury Police Department to issue tickets for parking violations, as well as removing any abandoned or unregistered motor vehicle parked on city streets.
A recent review of Danbury’s 2019-20 budget showed performance tracking measurements for Quality of Life ordinances dating back to FY 2013-14. The table below captures FY 2017-2020.
| Performance Measurements | FY 16-17 | FY 17-18 | FY 18-19 | FY 19-20 |
| Exterior Blight Orders/Warnings | 105 | 69 | 80 | 90 |
| Miscellaneous | 168 | 136 | 250 | 200 |
| Property Clean-up Blights | 316 | 386 | 350 | 370 |
| Unsafe Living Conditions | 96 | 189 | 200 | 200 |
| Vehicle Violations | 305 | 392 | 400 | 450 |
| Totals | 990 | 1,172 | 1,280 | 1,310 |