Neighbors Oppose Planned Child Care Facility In Fairfield

FAIRFIELD, CT — A proposed child care facility in Fairfield's Greenfield Hill section is meeting with opposition by several neighbors.

The Nest Greenfield Hill is proposing a 72-student, 15-staff facility in a vacant, former Chase Bank at 161 Hillside Road, which is on the corner of Hill Farm Road.

A total of 28 parking spaces is planned for the site, up from the 25 spaces currently at the site, and all traffic will enter the site from Hill Farm Road and exit via Hillside Road, according to the application.

The building measures 5,386 square feet, but the learning center plans to expand it to 6,039 square feet by adding a 653-square-foot addition.

"The Nest is a full time/full year, high quality early learning center open Monday thru Friday from 7:30am until 6pm," the application reads. "Our program is Reggio-Emilia inspired, which means we support an emergent curriculum which is inquiry based and child directed. Children spend generous amounts of time outdoors, regardless of weather, and we support children in becoming stewards of the earth both indoors and out. We provide children and staff with farm to table food prepared inhouse by our chef. Our menu (lunch and two snacks) challenges and expands childrens’ palettes."

Currently, The Nest, which also goes by the name Alphabet Academy, has four locations in Connecticut, two in Hamden, one in New Haven and one in Branford.

The Fairfield Town Plan and Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing on the Greenfield Hill application during a meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday at the Fairfield Regional Fire School at 205 Richard White Way.

Several neighbors of the site oppose the proposed use, largely due to concerns over the increase in traffic the learning center might generate.

In seven letters sent to the commission, the neighbors extensively spelled out their issues with the proposal.

"The proposed Nest redesigned exit to Hillside Rd will interfere with the existing businesses located at the bottom of Hillside," wrote Patricia Selbert, who believes the proposal is too big for an environmentally sensitive parcel. "The Corner Market has employee parking against the entire left side of the building which necessitates that their large delivery trucks park in the street frequently completely blocking the right lane of Hillside Rd. The awkward parking in front of the market frequently has patrons backing into traffic. The Greenfield Liquor Store also has large truck deliveries several times a day also creating congestion."

Dr. Dorothy Lay, who has lived on Hill Farm Road for more than 50 years, recounted several vehicle accidents in the area, including one where a neighbor's tractor was struck by a vehicle while the neighbor was mowing the lawn.

"The Day Care Center greatly increases the chances of more accidents and road rage," Lay wrote. Traffic volume will be increased by 174 cars per day. (Students + staff x twice/day) No workable interventions have been presented to mitigate the peril at this historically dangerous intersection."

"Additionally, the proposed facility does not have adequate parking to adequately handle the drop off and pick up for 72 kids," wrote Stacey Cardenas, who had a vehicle totaled in a crash on Hill Farm Road. "If parents park on the street, conditions will only be worse. The proposed facility will contribute greatly to the already unsafe traffic conditions at Hill Farm and Hillside Roads."