By Sarah Opdahl

New Fairfield’s Housing Opportunities Committee (HOC) met on Tuesday, May 7 to react to requested changes to the Affordable Housing Plan. The changes requested by the Zoning C ommission and the Board of Selectmen (BOS) were substantial in some aspects and simple in others . The biggest change involved removing the potential for duplexes on sites that meet well and septic requirements, which would have required a change to the zoning regulations; instead the Town would continue leaning on adding accessory dwelling units for home conversions. There were also changes to reflect the Town’s current stance on short-term rentals and to language that could have been misconstrued about the Town potentially funding housing options. All agreed that having the full support of the Zoning Commission and the BOS is ideal.

Chair Ms. Anita Brown gave a summary of the many meetings and resident touchpoints that were made in the past month, remarking that the feedback that was garnered is helpful. Discussed as part of the changes was the implications of including or not including the ability to create smaller homes on smaller parcels, which would be helpful in providing opportunities for starter homes or for older adults looking to downsize.

Commenting on the recent meetings, Ms. Jocelyn Ayer, the Town’s consultant on the Affordable Housing Plan, pointed out, “one thing I heard from the Zoning Commission folks was that they felt their role and responsibility as a Zoning Commissioner was to protect property values.” She went on to say, “I just want to make a statement…that the Zoning Commission gets their authority from the Zoning Enabling Act, and there is nothing in the Zoning Enabling Act that says that the role of the Zoning Commission is to protect property values.” Though this is not an uncommon sentiment expressed by Zoning Commissioners, “it is a misinterpretation of the roles and responsibilitie s of the Planning and Zoning Commissions,” she said.

After voting to approve language changes to the Affordable Housing Plan, it was explained that the plan will be made available to the public to review on the Town website for at least 35 days. In the meantime, the HOC will communicate with the BOS and Zoning regarding the changes that were made.

The HOC agreed to determine ways to help the New Fairfield Housing Trust with membership, following Trust members reaching out. They discussed possibly holding a joint meeting in which members would each invite someone who they think might be interested in joining and be a good fit for the Trust board.

The next New Fairfield Housing Opportunities Commi ttee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 4, 7:00 p.m.