By Sarah Opdahl

On Tuesday, November 7, New Fairfield’s Housing Opportunities Committee welcomed the Town’s Zoning Enforcement Officer Mr. Evan White to their meeting in the hopes of learning more about Town policies on Accessory Dwel ling Units (ADUs). White happily answered questions for a lengthy period.

One topic of discussion was how the process of creati ng an ADU can be made easier for residents. With regulations set for a rewrite, there will likely be changes to the language, but right now the parameters for eligibility to add a legal ADU are fairly tight with the need for adequate lot size, road frontage, and setbacks. When asked if there are many areas that fit the space requirements, White listed roads such as Warwick, Route 37, Waldon Woods, and more. Chair Ms. Anita Brown expressed interest in whether the regulation rewrites may benef it homeowners who currently have non-conforming lots.

Overall, White estimates that there are approximately 200 properties with ADUs in Town, many legal and some undoubtedly illegal. He has kept detailed records on these properties over the last several years, but previous employees in his position did not, making it difficult to get a full scope. The tax assessor is occasionally able to identify homes with units and notifies White.

White gave the history of the regulation, explaining that in 1974 it began with the description “two-family home” and gave New Fairfield residents the right to bring in a second unit to their existing dwelling. In the mid-1980s, the language changed to an “in-law accessory apartment,” in which it was only permissible to rent to immediate family or in-laws. That language was broadened in the 1990s to “accessory apartment,” giving residents the right to rent to anyone, as long as the correct conditions and requirements were met.

Residents with illegal accessory units could come forward to make them compliant if their property fits the parameters of the policy. It was noted that this would likely increase affordable housing in town. White mentioned that many residents are rel uctant to come forward, in fear of their taxes increasing exponentially. Advantages to making a unit legal are the ability to include the unit in homeowners insurance, to market the home in any future sale, and more.

When White was asked what his thoughts about possibly having some apartment units in commercial businesses in the Town center, he said, “Oh, absolutely. I think that’s a great asset and I just would like to see the requirements brought down just a little less restrictive.” He explained, “as of right now, it states you can only have [units] for mixed use” and “you can only have up to one apartment for every half acre of acreage for your commercial property.”

Brown discussed the topic of looking for land for the Land Trust with White, who suggested the Committee try using the local mapping system on the ass essor’s page. Users see a town-wide map of New Fairfield and the views can be customized by turning on and off layers for lot size, wetlands, and more.

Next steps for the Housing Opportunities Commit tee include an in-person and a digital community forum, now that the plan draft is mor e set. It was noted that the plans very rarely change at this point beyon d small tweaks. The forums will likely take place in early December.

The next regular Housing Opportunities Committee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, December 5, 7:30 p.m.