The Inland Wetlands Commission (IWC) this week concluded its public hearing on The Preserve at Newtown, a proposed 23-lot residential subdivision on 167 acres in Dodgingtown.

IWC members closed the hearing on Wednesday, October 22, following 25 minutes of discussion among IWC members and the developer about technical aspects of the project.

None of the dozen members of the public who attended the session had any comments or questions on the development proposal. The application also had been the subject of IWC public hearings on October 8 and September 10.

The IWC is scheduled to discuss, and possibly act on, the application when it next meets on November 12.

The Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) is scheduled to start its public hearing on the subdivision application on November 6.

While the IWC’s review of such projects is relatively narrow in scope, focusing on the protection of wetlands and watercourses, the P&Z’s review of subdivision applications is broader, addressing topics such as septic waste disposal, domestic water wells, traffic, and noise.

The proposed cluster-style development seeks to concentrate new single-family houses on relatively small building lots in two areas on the site in order to leave approximately 84 acres, or about half of the  overall tract as undeveloped open space land.

Such land would be open to the public for passive forms of recreation, such as hiking and nature study.

The project is proposed by developers KASL, LLC, and IBF, LLC. The firms are represented by local developer/builder George L. Trudell.

About nine house lots would be created along the southeast side of Robin Hill Road, which extends northeastward from Rock Ridge Road, near Rock Ridge Country Club.

Another cluster of house lots would be constructed on a proposed new dead-end street to be known as Deer Hill Drive extending southeastward from Scudder Road, south of Ferris Road.

At the October 22 session, IWC member Anne Peters suggested that the developer shift the location of  the proposed Deer Hill Drive for better wetlands protection at the site.

Also, Ms Peters said that when houses are located relatively near wetlands, there should be a line of boulders installed or a fence erected to clearly show the edge of those wetlands.

Mr Trudell agreed that such boundary markers are suitable features. Also, he said he is amenable to preserving  existing trees on the site, when possible.

Attorney Francis Collins, representing the developer, said the proposed subdivision would preserve a “huge amount” of open space at the site, adding that the project would pose no significant adverse effects on wetlands.

The lawyer urged that the IWC approve the development proposal.

Although no members of the public commented on the application at the October 22 session, there had been questions about the development proposal and criticisms leveled at it at the earlier meetings.

Among those comments were questions about the legal notification for the IWC public hearing, and potential adverse environmental effects caused by such development, including increased stormwater drainage along Scudder Road.

The developer then responded that the public notification met applicable standards and that those environmental concerns have been well addressed in the project’s design.