Danbury zoning panel refers state-mandated amendment to add family and group childcare homes to residential zones

The Danbury City Zoning Commission voted April 8 to receive and refer a petition from Planning Director Waleed Al Bakri to amend several sections of the city’s zoning regulations to add family childcare homes and group childcare homes as permitted uses in all residential zones.

The Chair said the petition would be referred to the Planning Commission for recommendation, that surrounding communities would be notified and statutory publication requirements fulfilled, and that a public hearing is scheduled for May 20, 2025. Commissioner Botello made the motion to receive and refer the petition; the motion was seconded (the transcript does not fully specify the seconder) and the Commission voted in favor.

The changes proposed include amending multiple subsections of the residential-use listings and revising the definition of family childcare homes so the uses are treated equivalently to single- and multi-family residential uses. During discussion, a commissioner asked whether the amendments were mandated by the state; Planning Director Waleed Al Bakri responded, “This is mandated by the state that we have to have it in our regs so they don't get treated different,” and confirmed the city’s proposal mirrors the state requirement while adding limited criteria and revised definitions.

Why it matters: permitting family and group childcare homes in residential zones can affect neighborhood land-use patterns and licensing and may expand local childcare capacity. The Planning Commission will review the proposal and report back with a recommendation before the May 20 public hearing.

Next steps: The petition will be reviewed by the Planning Commission; public notice will be issued per state statute and the public hearing will be held May 20, 2025. The transcript does not record detailed vote tallies for the referral motion beyond recorded ayes.