The Norwalk City Council has approved the voluntary annexation of roughly 282 acres of land southwest of the city, marking an early step in what city officials say is a much larger long-term growth plan. 

The annexation allows the city to formally begin working with a developer on plans for the property, bringing the land under city jurisdiction for planning and regulation purposes. Norwalk City Manager Luke Nelson tells KNIA News bringing the property into city limits allows Norwalk to apply its zoning, infrastructure, and development standards to the area.

“By having it within corporate limits, it allows us, the City Council, to sign development agreements and start to regulate that land, which is what the developer wants.”

Nelson explained the annexation is tied to a proposed development project and represents the first phase of a much broader expansion area southwest of Norwalk. The larger concept includes nearly 2,900 acres stretching toward Interstate 35. City officials have described the southwest corridor as a key area for long-term planning, with annexation allowing Norwalk to guide how development occurs rather than reacting after projects are proposed.

The full interview with Norwalk City Manager Luke Nelson can be heard below: