Date: Fri 01-Aug-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDYG

Quick Words:

P&Z-New-England-Heights

Full Text:

P&Z Rejects Flawed Subdivision Application

BY ANDREW GOROSKO

The Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) has turned down a proposal for a

13-lot subdivision off Bradley Lane in Sandy Hook known as New England

Heights.

In a 4-to-0 vote, P&Z members Thomas Paisley, James Boylan, Heidi Winslow and

Daniel Rosenthal denied the application July 24.

Ms Winslow pointed out that the developer, Pond View, LLC, failed to mail

notices of a June 5 public hearing on the subdivision proposal to nearby

property owners.

Because nearby property owners weren't notified, the P&Z's regulations were

violated, nullifying the application, she said. The P&Z solicited public

comments at the hearing June 5, but no one spoke.

Because the public wasn't notified of that session, the P&Z didn't receive as

much information about the project as it otherwise might have, Ms Winslow

said.

To allow the public to comment on the proposal, the P&Z sought comments at a

July 2 session, but the public hearing technically had been closed in June,

she said.

At the July 2 session, the P&Z fielded comments from several property owners

who are concerned about the development proposal.

Attorney William Denlinger, representing Pond View, LLC, told P&Z members that

if New England Heights was approved by the P&Z but was later legally appealed

by someone, the developer would withdraw the application and reapply for the

subdivision.

But, Ms Winslow pointed out, the application has a "clear flaw" in it due to

the developer's failure to notify nearby property owners of the June 5 public

hearing.

"We're not in the business of passing applications...that are admittedly

flawed," Ms Winslow said.

On that note, the P&Z unanimously rejected the application.

In the expected resubmission, the developer will now be subject to a series of

rules approved by the P&Z last March which strictly regulate the amount of

earth materials which can be removed or placed on building lots.

At the July 2 session, resident David Lizak of 6 Farmery Lane voiced concerns

about the development project.

Resident Dan McAloon of 11 Farmery Lane expressed concerns over the presence

of rear lots in the proposed resubdivision.

Resident Bruce Moore of 37 Bradley Lane questioned the wisdom of having

heavier traffic on Bradley Lane, predicting that there will be accidents

there. The proposed development would extend a new dead end street off Bradley

Lane.

The site proposed for development is near the intersection of Bradley Lane and

Great Ring Road.