'Extraordinarily petty.' Fairfield homeowners push back against town's proposed ban on inground swimming pools
The town says the ban is being proposed because of potential safety and environmental hazards during storms and flood events.
Fairfield homeowners are fighting back against a town proposal that could ban the construction of in-ground swimming pools at homes along the coast of Long Island Sound.
Residents who oppose the ban made their voices heard at town plan and zoning commission meeting Tuesday night.
“In one resident's opinion," Troy Pinto says. "This seems extraordinarily petty compared to some of the bigger issues we have like cleaning up our beaches."
The town says the ban is being proposed because of potential safety and environmental hazards during storms and flood events.
Austin Foulds is trying to put an inground pool on his Fairfield Beach Road property.
He says he's gathered more than 100 signatures from residents who oppose the potential ban.
Residents like Tim Meehan claim the ban would drive down property values.
"You're telling me I can't build a pool on my property when I bought it 45 years ago?" Meehan says. "I don't know why this is needed."
Foulds says neither FEMA nor the state of Connecticut prohibit the construction of in-ground pools in coastal zones.
He believes Fairfield would be the only municipality in the entire state to impose such a ban if it were to go through.
"People want to enjoy this part of Fairfield for years to come," Foulds says. "Having a ban like this is detrimental to the fabric of the town."
