By Sarah Opdahl

New Fairfield’s Zoning Commission met on Wednesday, January 3. In addition to their typical order of business regarding zoning matters for residents, they approved a mandate from the state regarding d aycares in residential zones. Public act number 23-142, an act concerning certain protections to group and family child care homes. In short, the State of Connecticut will oversee the zoning of all residential daycares. Group daycares are defin ed as those with six to twelve children and family daycares are three to six children.

Zoning Chair Mr. John Moran explained, “the state took over this part of the zoning and we can’t do special permits. They have regulations regarding parking and licensing and fees—they’ve established at all. Basically, Zoning has lost the regulations with regard to this, and it can be done in any zone. It doesn’t matter that they have to obtain a license from the State, the State’s going to do an inspection. The only concern we coul d possibly have would be on a septic…this is a state mandated, we do not have a choice.”

It was noted that if someone receives proper licensing from the st ate, in terms of suitability that they have the qualificati ons to do this, they could buy a house in any residential neighborhood and have a commercial venture without an actual owner occupancy.

The Commission will move forward on incorporating the act’s stipulations into the zoning regulations.

In updates from the Town’s Zoning Officer Mr. Evan White, the Commission learned that

Mountain View Cemetery on Route 37 was served with a violation for “exceeding the customary and incidental landscaping,” for “massive filling and grading” for new grave burial sites that “was brought in offsite from the high school.” White explained that in late December he met with the contractor and site contractor that was hired on behalf of the management property of Mountain View and explained that they will need to apply for a special permit application.

Commission members were surprised that the proper permits were not in place, given that the dirt was being brought to the cemetery for more than a year. White explained that stop work and cease and desist orders previously issued by the Town were ignored. For now, Town officials are allowing the contractor to stabilize and regrade a large downslope that exceeds twenty-five feet in height. White said, “Hopefully they see that we mean business, especially now both Wetlands and Zoning are on them, and going down the route of legal action.”

The next Zoning Commission meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, February 7, 7:30 p.m