Norwalk : Ordinance on Mini-Malls Extended to Next February

The Norwalk City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to extend a temporary ordinance to control the proliferation of mini-malls and small office buildings that contribute to traffic and parking problems on city streets.

The interim ordinance, which was first approved in February, was extended through Feb. 5, 1992. The ordinance requires developers to obtain conditional-use permits before they are allowed to build stores or offices on tiny lots. It gives the city Planning Commission veto power over such projects.

City planners are studying how to best develop commercial areas of Norwalk. They say that concentrating commercial and large office complexes in key locations would cause fewer traffic and parking problems than having smaller developments sprinkled throughout the city.