NORWALK — After more than a year of debate, the Garibaldi brothers and friends can legally use the skateboard ramp their parents, Edward and Stephanie, built at their home in the 12200 block of Allard Street.

The City Council Tuesday night voted 3-2 for an ordinance allowing such ramps in residential zones under certain conditions based on the size of the ramp and the yard where it is located.

“I favored the ramp from day one,” said City Councilman Rick Ramirez, who was absent May 19 when the council deadlocked 2-2 on the matter. He joined Mayor Cheri Kelley and Councilman Mike Mendez to approve the ordinance, which takes effect in 30 days.

Vice Mayor Gordon Stefenhagen and Councilman Jesse Luera dissented, saying the ordinance would set a precedent and allow skateboards throughout the city, thus causing possible nuisance to neighbors.

“I wouldn’t want one near my home,” Stefenhagen said.

Stephanie Garibaldi said arguments against the ramp were “non-issues.”

She told the council the four-foot high platforms would not invade neighbors’ privacy by allowing people to look over their fence, noting that common backyard play equipment such as slides, swings and tree houses are often higher.

City tests have indicated that the ramp is no more noisy than everyday traffic from the street, she said.

Concerning liability from injuries on the ramp, she said “I checked with my homeowners insurance carrier, Farmers. I am covered.”

City Attorney Steve Dorsey said the city could not be held liable for giving permission for a ramp.

The issue began a year ago when a code enforcement officer cited the Garibaldis for having the skateboard ramp, which was not allowed in residential areas at that time.

The Garibaldi family appealed to the Norwalk Planning Commission, which deadlocked 2-2 last June 11. That sent the issue to the City Council.

The council, after several months of study and noise tests, returned the issue to the commission earlier this year. Commissioners April 8 voted 4-0 in favor of a new ordinance which would allow such ramps.

Planning Manager Bing Hyun, in a report to the City Council May 19, said the proposed ordinance would allow one skateboard ramp with size limits per single-family property, but for use only by the occupants and guests of the home.

The ramp would have to be made of nonmetallic materials to reduce noise, be located in the rear yard at least 50 feet from the street and with five-foot rear and side yard setbacks, Hyun said.

A survey of skateboard ramps in the area indicate there are of two main types — a “half pipe” or U-shaped ramp with a platform on either end of the U and handrails and a “quarter pipe” which consists of just one-half of the U with a platform and a ramp leading to the ground instead of to the other platform.

Under the new ordinance, there will be size limits for th ramps. Limits include:

• For a half-pipe ramp: eight feet wide and 20-feet long, not to exceed 120 square feet with a platform and handrails measuring seven feet from the ground to the top of the rail.

• For a quarter pipe with the same height limit, eight-foot width and length about 10 feet, not to exceed 83 square feet.

Hyun noted that the Garibaldi ramp Is 275 square feet in size and seven feet tall. Anything over 150 square feet requires a building permit, which had not been sought.

He said the couple have agreed to reduce the size of their ramp to meet requirements and take out a formal building permit.

Stephanie Garibaldi told the council last summer that she and her husband spent several thousand dollars to build the structure with the aim of keeping their sons, ages 10 and 16, close to home.

She said she does not want her sons at the city skateboard ramp in Norwalk Park because of alleged drug dealing and other inappropriate behavior.
Some of her neighbors opposed the ramp, others said it was not a problem for them.