‘One Step Closer’: Norwalk P&Z Provides Initial Approval for Manresa Wilds’ Plans

The vision for Manresa Wilds—transforming the 125-acre site of a decommissioned power plant into a public park, gathering space, and research center—is a step closer to reality this week. 

On October 21, the Norwalk Planning and Zoning Commission voted unanimously to approve a special district for Manresa Wilds that provides a “zoning framework” for the property. The special district outlines what is allowed, what isn’t, and what conditions need to be met for certain items to come to fruition.

The vote comes after months of public hearings where residents shared both their support for the vision, and many concerns about its impact. 

“Thank you all for your time on this,” Chapin Bryce, the chair of Norwalk’s Planning and Zoning Commission said. “Thanks to the applicant as well for the time they put into the presentation and public comment and response to things. It is much appreciated. Thank you so much to everyone who has provided input on this very large and significant application for Norwalk and looking forward to seeing what the future holds.”

The plans for Manresa Wilds were developed by Austin and Allison McChord, a billionaire philanthropist couple who purchased the property and have committed more than $400 million to help remediate it and bring this new vision to life.

“We founded Manresa Island Corp. to take responsibility for this site’s cleanup and create something enduring for Norwalk and the region,” Austin and Allison McChord said in a statement. “Thousands of people have helped shape Manresa Wilds over the past two years, and we’re grateful to the community and the Commission for the care they’ve brought to this process. This vote brings us one step closer to unlocking a remarkable stretch of Norwalk’s waterfront to the public again.”

Let’s explore the updated plans and timeline.

Inside the Planning and Zoning Commission Approval

The Planning and Zoning Commission basically approved a master plan for the site, which provides the Manresa Wilds team with guidelines on how the site can—and cannot—be developed. 

For example, according to the approval, no data center whatsoever is allowed on the site, but a brew pub or distillery could be allowed if a special permit application is approved. 

The purpose of approving the special district is to help “provide the applicant confidence to further develop and refine plans for subsequent phases with the assurance there is a base commitment and comfort on the City’s side, while also providing the neighbors assurance that the proper checks and balances are in place so that development does not overwhelm the neighborhood and the City’s street network,” Norwalk’s Planning and Zoning Director Steve Kleppin wrote in a memo.

Kleppin emphasized to the commission that the applicant would have to be back before them for a special permit application for each phase of its development on the property, allowing them to get into specifics like how much traffic the proposed uses will generate. 

He also noted that the commission can amend things over time as the property begins to get built out. 

“I think … when they start to implement some of these things, they're going to say, "This language just doesn't work,’” he said. “So, I would allow them to just take the lead on most of this and we can adjust like we're doing right now.”

Over the months of public hearings, the Manresa Wilds team also scaled back some of the initial items listed in the special district application after hearing some concerns from residents. These include: 

• Creating a reservation-only parking system with a max of 200 spaces for cars onsite
• Removing the hotel, lodging, and bed-and-breakfast uses from the proposed zoning district
• Reducing the outdoor classroom capacity in the Northern Forest to 100 seats

The commission also restricted the number of large-scale events that can take place on the site, in an effort to limit the impact on local residents.

However, the commission did not vote to restrict the site to visits from only Norwalk schools, which was floated as an idea. 

“I strongly wouldn't want to limit it to the Norwalk school system,” Commissioner Ana Tabachneck said. “We reap a lot of the benefits, we also handle some of the downsides and have to grapple with some of the challenges but overall this is a benefit to us, but I think it’s a gift to more than just us.”

Manresa Wilds’ Future

Now that the framework has been established Manresa Wilds officials said they can move forward with their planning and designs for the site. 

“The Commission’s approval gives us the framework to continue the careful work of making this site safe, healthy, and accessible to all,” Jessica Vonashek, executive director of Manresa Island Corp (the nonprofit that oversees the site), said in a statement. “As detailed design and technical studies advance, we’ll continue working closely with our neighbors, the City, Connecticut DEEP, and our project partners to bring this shared vision for Manresa Wilds to life.”

The Northern Forest, which received separate approval from the Planning and Zoning Commission earlier this year, is the first phase of the site and is scheduled to open in spring 2027. This 28-acre section includes more than a mile of trails for “exploration, gathering, and outdoor education,” as well as restoration efforts to rebuild a layered forest habitat. It will also include a “gather pocket” where visitors can sit and unwind and enjoy the natural habitat. Research has also already begun on the site through the R.E.S.A. initiative. 

From there, the second phase ideally would open in 2032. That phase would include the adaptive reuse of the Turbine Hall and administrative building, as well as the majority of the landscaping work on the site, restorations of wetland and cedar swamps, the community pool and pavilion, and nature-based play areas. 

The third phase would include the fully finished waterfront promenade, pier, and additional play areas. That phase needs the Walk Bridge project to wrap up first as part of the site is a staging area for that work. The plans to renovate the boiler building and create an ecology center “will follow as partnerships advance.” 

“Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and everyone,” Attorney Liz Suchy, who represented Manresa Wilds, said. “It's been a long few months. Thank you for your attention, your thoughtful commentary, your deliberations, and we are looking forward to moving forward with this wonderful opportunity for the city. On behalf of Mr. and Mrs. McChord, thank you very much for everything that you've done.”