Date: Fri 07-Mar-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDYG

Quick Words:

Tamarack-Woods-Conservation

Full Text:

Conservation Panel Considers Third Tamarack Woods Plan

B Y A NDREW G OROSKO

The Conservation Commission is considering a third wetlands application for

Tamarack Woods, a controversial ten-lot residential subdivision proposed for

33 acres within the triangle formed by Tamarack Road, Sanford Road, and Echo

Valley Road.

Commission members are scheduled to meet at Sanford Road at 10 am Saturday,

March 8, to make a site inspection.

M&E Land Group's third submission to the Conservation Commission for wetlands

construction work comes while the developer has a lawsuit pending against the

Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) over the P&Z's December rejection of the

second version of Tamarack Woods.

The third version of the project is similar to the first, which M&E Land Group

withdrew from P&Z consideration last summer. The initial withdrawal followed

strong opposition to the project from nearby residents affected by the

construction. Also, the Conservation Commission's wetlands construction

approval for the first version of the project had been the subject of a

lawsuit filed by a nearby resident.

In its third version, M&E proposes creating ten building lots, which would be

served by driveways leading from the three roads surrounding the site. Five

driveways would enter from Sanford Road; four driveways would front on

Tamarack Road, and one would enter the site from Echo Valley Road. The plan

involves building a driveway across a wetland, widening existing town roads,

and installing drainage structures along Sanford Road and Tamarack Road.

P&Z Rejection

The second version of Tamarack Woods included a street called Lafayette Trail

leading from Tamarack Road onto the site, which would have served nine of the

ten lots. That plan was rejected by P&Z members in December. Commission

members then said the project did not meet their standards for open space land

donations.

P&Z members suggested the developers devise a plan in which access to the

homes is provided from Tamarack Road, Sanford Road, and Echo Valley Road, thus

spreading the traffic flow onto the three streets, instead of it coming almost

entirely from Tamarack Road.

In response to past versions of Tamarack Woods, opponents have charged that

development there would disturb the isolated area, damage its rustic

character, pose environmental hazards, create traffic problems, jeopardize the

adequacy of existing well-water supplies, and potentially damage

archaeological artifacts.

Tamarack Woods' opponents contend the site is so rugged and has such extensive

rock ledge outcrops and wetlands that it is essentially undevelopable

property. The land is near Upper Paugussett State Forest and Lake Lillinonah.

In its pending lawsuit, M&E states, "The open space in the (second) Tamarack

Woods subdivision (proposal) was specifically designed to protect the scenic

nature of the existing Tamarack and Sanford dirt roads."

The open space was designed to be a buffer to the development in accordance

with the plan of development, according to M&E.

In denying the application, the P&Z acted illegally, arbitrarily and in abuse

of the discretion vested in it, according to the lawsuit. Through the lawsuit,

M&E seeks to have a judge force the P&Z to approve the Tamarack Woods plan.