Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Childcare topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission OKs Ness Schools daycare at 175 Constitution Blvd with fire-marshal conditions
Summary
The Shelton Planning and Zoning Commission approved a special exception allowing Ness Schools Inc. to open a daycare at 175 Constitution Blvd, approving 190-child capacity and a fenced outdoor playground contingent on fire-marshal sign-off of drop-off/entrance modifications.
The Shelton Planning and Zoning Commission voted Feb. 11 to approve a special-exception application from Ness Schools Inc. to operate a daycare at 175 Constitution Boulevard South.
Attorney Rob Bellito told commissioners the proposal meets Connecticut and local zoning standards that permit child-care facilities in the LIP district. Danielle Hunter, director of education for The NEST, said the Shelton location is planned to serve roughly 190 children (six weeks through pre-K), employ about 40 staff and include about 10,000 square feet of enclosed outdoor play space.
Bellito cited Connecticut General Statutes Section 8-2 and the commission’s section 33 criteria for special exceptions, saying the building footprint will not change apart from the proposed enclosed playground, parking is adequate for expected arrivals, and the site is served by public water and sewer. He also said the fire marshal reviewed the proposal and attached conditions relating to access and fire lanes.
Commissioners pressed for details about traffic flow during arrival and dismissal periods for the larger enrollment. Bellito and TJ Donahue, who identified himself as the applicant’s chief legal officer, said the developer will stagger start times and that the fire marshal required modifications — including a looped traffic flow and fire lanes — to address safety and circulation. The chair and commissioners said they were comfortable approving the application today with a condition that final entrance/exit and traffic-flow changes receive the fire marshal’s approval before permits are issued.
No members of the public sought to speak during the hearing. The motion to approve carried unanimously, with the approval documented as contingent on the fire marshal’s sign-off of the required entrance/exit and circulation changes.
The commission’s action allows the contract purchaser to proceed with town approvals; Bellito said the purchase of the building is contingent on the zoning and building approvals.
