The town of New Canaan has taken the position, regarding 909 West Road, that local zoning regulations, health code statutes governing rooming houses, inspections, etc. are not available to towns due to the ADA and anti-discriminatory housing laws that are in place at the state and federal level for sober houses and other similar businesses.
I am confused—isn’t the role of the town administration to protect and represent the interests of its residents?
When the town was made aware of the circumstance, indeed the town responded, contacted the town attorney, etc., and decided there was nothing the town could do. No effort was made to find a solution, to go further to try and protect the taxpayers. When affordable housing was first used by developers as a way to circumvent local zoning laws, the town, to its credit, used the resources available, fought and eventually found compromises which satisfied both sides. We feel that the town is simply throwing up your collective hands saying there is nothing the town can or will do in this matter. I find this unacceptable and am very frustrated at the lack of action.
Pauline Dora
I agree with Pauline and before you know it they will be many sober houses all over New Canaan, as it’s VERY profitable and they are MANY unsold houses in everyone’s neighborhood. If our own government doesn’t hear our voices and try to work with us, vs only meeting with the Light House group and the owner of the house, then who do we have to protect us ?
Gail Sarner
So we now need “protection” against peers who have been through rehab and are going about the quiet but heroic business of getting their lives back on track? Were it not for this publicity, most people would not even know they are there.