ZBA allows vertical addition, certifies historic coverage at 80 Colonial Drive

The Fairfield Zoning Board of Appeals on May 1 approved a vertical addition at 80 Colonial Drive and agreed to certify the property’s existing lot coverage so the owners can add a second-floor addition without enlarging the home’s footprint.

Attorney John Fallon, representing John and Morgan Nylund, told the board the family needs more space for their growing children and that the proposed addition will be built entirely on the existing footprint, maintaining the current 21.3‑foot setback from Colonial Drive. Fallon asked the board to also allow the town to recognize an existing lot coverage of 25.3% that appears to stem from work and permits in 1980 and 1983. “We would assume that the coverage that was in effect now was established at the time of the eighties when these permits were in effect,” Fallon said.

Fallon cited a Connecticut statute in his explanation that, in his view, provides finality for older permits after a period of years. He said the only active variance required for the project is the Colonial Drive street-setback finding tied to the corner-lot condition; the proposal otherwise complies with floor-area rules and remains under the 32-foot height limit.

Board members reviewed plans and asked about height measurements; Fallon suggested a condition of approval could confirm the addition remains below the 32‑foot threshold. The board voted unanimously to approve the application and to certify or otherwise recognize the existing coverage record so the owners can proceed with the vertical addition.