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Public Hearings to Commence on Norwalk Zoning Rewrite

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 Attorneys Named to ‘Top Lawyers in Fairfield County’

Carmody Torrance Sandak & Hennessey LLP is pleased to announce that 11 of its lawyers have been named to Moffly Media’s ‘250+ Top Lawyers in Fairfield County’ list. Moffly Media publishes Greenwich, New Canaan/Darien + Rowayton, Stamford, Westport, and athome magazines. Their research process includes online peer-voting, internet research, active
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Third Cannabis Retailer Approved in Norwalk

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.

Stamford Mayor Proposes 1,000 Units of Affordable Housing

The housing shortage continues to dominate the discussion at all levels of government in 2023, and in Stamford, Mayor Simmons is pushing for action. The Mayor recently issued an Affordable Housing Executive Order calling for the equivalent of 1,000 new or substantially renovated affordable housing units by 2025, and the development
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Parking Requirements Based on Space Utilization

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.

Norwalk Planning & Zoning Commission Approve Wilton Center Lofts

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.

Sparks Fly Over Wilton Lofts at P&Z Hearing

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.

City of Norwalk Comprehensive Zoning Rewrite: Meetings Commence

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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City of Norwalk to present draft zoning regulations in April

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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Breaking Ground Update: Legislation Capping Residential Rent Increases

Many of you have been asking about the status of the proposed legislation capping residential rent increases. The contentious proposal, known as H.B. No. 6588, did not make it out of the Housing Committee’s final meeting this week. Instead, the committee opted to create a task force to study the issue
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Governor proposes $600 million for the development of housing in Connecticut

Connecticut continues to face a critical housing shortage and the legislature continues to battle over the best way to cure it, particularly when it comes to affordable housing.  Governor Lamont’s 2024-2025 biennial budget proposal looks to invest $600 million towards the development of affordable and workforce housing using a mix
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Appeal your tax assessment in Stamford CT by February 17, 2023

Stamford conducted real property tax revaluations in 2022: The revaluation in Stamford will fix a property owner’s tax assessment for the next five years beginning with the October 1, 2022 grand list, which reflects the real property taxes due on July 1, 2023. Most property owners should have received a
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Carmody Adds Experienced Real Estate Partner In Stamford

Carmody Torrance Sandak & Hennessey LLP is pleased to announce that Carolyn J. Cavolo has joined the firm’s Real Estate & Land Use team as a Partner in its Stamford office. Cavolo focuses her practice on sophisticated commercial real estate transactions advising owners, investors, developers, financial institutions, and planned community
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Norwalk Hospital Plans Expansion

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

From Floor to Roof, Norwalk Building Opens Among ‘Greenest’ in CT

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)

Apartments in works for office buildings in Wilton

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)

Breaking Ground: Zoning reforms in response to COVID-19 are here to stay

It has been two years since the COVID-19 pandemic altered the conventional ways of conducting business. During the pandemic, Governor Ned Lamont passed multiple Emergency Orders that allowed businesses and people to continue operating in a modified capacity. The response to some of these initiatives was so positive that as
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Upcoming Deadline (February 20th) to Appeal 2021 Connecticut Municipal Real Property Tax Revaluation

The following thirty-seven Connecticut municipalities conducted real property tax revaluations in 2021: Andover, Ashford, Beacon Falls, Bridgewater, Brookfield, Colchester, Columbia, Cornwall, East Hartford, East Haven, East Lyme, Easton, Enfield, Greenwich, Griswold, Groton, Hartford, Hebron, Killingworth, Lisbon, Manchester, Meriden, Middlebury, Middlefield, Milford, Montville, New Haven, Plainville, Plymouth, Portland, Salem, Shelton, Thomaston,
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Carmody Torrance Sandak & Hennessey Elects Five Attorneys to the Partnership

Carmody has elected five of its lawyers to the partnership effective January 1, 2022. Commenting on the promotion of the new partners, Managing Partner Rick Street said: “All five of these talented lawyers have made significant contributions to the firm and their communities. Every day these attorneys are steadfast in
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Carmody Continues Growth with Six New Attorneys

Carmody  welcomes six new associate attorneys to the firm, demonstrating the firm’s continued growth across its offices and practices. Gideon Asemnor (New Haven) joins the firm’s Litigation practice. Before joining Carmody, Gideon practiced in the areas of professional liability, construction law, product liability, and commercial litigation at a firm in
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Connecticut General Assembly Extends Term of Certain Zoning Approvals

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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Commercial Tenant Bankruptcy: A Summary as State Courts Reopen

On April 10, 2020, Governor Ned Lamont issued Executive Order No. 7X, detailed here, which instituted a moratorium on residential evictions and summary process actions until July 1, 2020. The Governor’s Order did not apply to commercial eviction proceedings. While a commercial landlord was permitted to serve a notice to
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Land Use and Building Permit Tolling

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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Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Guidance on Remote Ink-Signed Notarization (RIN)

On April 14, 2020, Fannie Mae issued a guidance on the procedures it considered prudent in Remote Ink-Signed Notarization (RIN) closings, and specifically distinguished that the prior remote online notarization (“RON”) guidelines of the Fannie Mae Lender Letter LL-2020-03 do not apply to RINs. Freddie Mac had issued a similar
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COVID-19 Contract and Insurance Issues

Dear Clients and Friends, Our team of business, real estate, and litigation lawyers are available to answer your questions about some of the most pressing COVID-19 contract and insurance issues faced by our business clients. Our lawyers are using WebEx and Zoom to counsel clients, negotiate transactions, and try to
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Carmody Elects Richard L. Street as New Managing Partner

Carmody Torrance Sandak & Hennessey LLP has elected Richard L. Street as the firm’s Managing Partner, effective February 1, 2020. Previously, Rick has served as Assistant Managing Partner of the firm and as Practice Group Leader of the firm’s litigation group. Outgoing Managing Partner Ann Zucker said, “Rick has a
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New Laws Help Establish Land Banks

Vacant buildings and blighted neighborhoods challenge redevelopment in Connecticut cities.  Two statutes awaiting Governor Ned Lamont’s signature provide a time-tested avenue for redeveloping these urban areas.  The new laws enable municipalities to form nonstock corporations, referred to as “land banks”, to take title to, rehabilitate and convey abandoned and blighted
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