The Danbury Zoning Commission has rejected an application for a regulation change that would have paved the way for the former Super 8 motel in Danbury officially being changed into a homeless shelter.  The vote against was 6 to 3.  The three were Commissioners Kelly, Masi and Melillo. 

Commission member Candace Fay says the shelter changes the character of the neighborhood.  She and others opposed to the application cited safety and other concerns.  Some members also expressed concern that the application could be viewed as spot zoning, which is illegal.  Only three other properties in Danbury would fit the proposed regulation. 

The application was for an 86 room facility with supportive services.  Pacific House planned to provide 48 supportive housing units, with the rest of the rooms for emergency beds.  The state worked with the Stamford-based nonprofit to use $4.63 million in federal funds to purchase the property.  Had the Commission approved the application, Pacific House would next needed to have applied to the Planning Commission for a Special Permit.