Date: Fri 10-Jan-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDYG

Quick Words:

P&Z-Taunton-Hill

Full Text:

Taunton Hill Residents List Concerns About Development

B Y A NDREW G OROSKO

Residents living near the site of a proposed 19-lot residential subdivision on

Taunton Hill have told Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) members they are

concerned that added development there will endanger existing well water

supplies, create traffic hazards, and pose drainage problems.

The residents spoke at a January 2 P&Z public hearing on DaMota, LLC's,

proposal for The Estates on Taunton Hill on a 60-acre site at 31-37 Taunton

Hill Road with frontages on Taunton Hill Road, Taunton Ridge Road, and Great

Hill Road.

Two interior roads - Glenmor Drive and Phenix Lane - would be built as part of

the development proposal. The subdivision would contain more than six acres of

open space land. The average building lot size would be 2.8 acres.

Ten of the lots would have frontage on Glenmor Drive, with seven lots fronting

on the dead-end Phenix Lane, and two lots facing Great Hill Road.

The half mile of new roads are designed to match the area's topography, said

Barry Nelson, an engineer representing DaMota. Roads within the development

would be 22 feet wide.

Mr Nelson termed the site "a very pretty setting," adding "We want to keep it

that way."

Scenic barns located on the proposed Lot 19 on Taunton Hill Road would be

owned by whomever purchases that lot, he said.

Three stormwater detention basins would be built to regulate the flow of water

runoff from the site. After construction is complete, water would flow off the

site at current levels, according to Mr Nelson. The development project won't

worsen reported drainage problems along the nearby Fairchild Drive, Mr Nelson

said. Stormwater collected on the development site will be used to maintain

water levels in two large water storage tanks for firefighting. The two tanks

are planned to hold a total 40,000 gallons of water.

Mr Nelson said that although the town sanitarian is unhappy that pumps would

be used on some of the septic systems, the state health code allows such

designs.

Attorney Stephen Wippermann, representing the developer, said the average size

house planned for the development is 3,400 square feet. The real estate market

would determine the specific sizes of the houses that are built, he said.

"There will be architectural standards," he added.

Russell Slayback, a hydrogeologist representing the developers, said the site

is above a drinking water source which is "no better than a moderate-yielding

aquifer." Mr Slayback said his research of water supplies in the area

indicates there are "good prospects" to create individual water supply wells

at the development site.

Bernard Adler, a traffic engineer representing the developer, said the traffic

service level at area intersections which were studied indicates that the

service will remain as at "Level A," representing the best level of service.

Residents' Concerns

Resident Tricia Johnson of 3 Wilderness West said Taunton Hill Road has

drainage problems near the development site, especially icing problems during

the cold months. Cars leaving the development on Glenmor Drive would be

entering an icy road area, she said. She asked why the developer's traffic

study didn't include the intersection of Taunton Lane and Taunton Hill Road.

The planned Glenmor Drive would become a shortcut for motorists traveling to

the town center, she said. "This whole area of Taunton Hill has problems with

water" she said of local individual water supplies. Ms Johnson also noted that

existing homes in the area are situated on lots that are larger than those

planned by the developer.

Resident Tracy Olson of 20 Taunton Ridge Road said he would receive increased

water runoff on his property from the development. The developer should make

certain drainage improvements to prevent the increased runoff, Mr Olson said.

Resident Charles Nostrand of 31 Taunton Ridge Road said a three-way

intersection planned by the developer would worsen a hazardous traffic

situation.

Resident Betty Pantuso of Fairchild Drive suggested that the developer create

a privacy buffer behind Lots 7, 8 and 9 on the development site to provide

privacy for Fairchild Drive residents.

Property owner George Tibbetts of Winslow Road told P&Z members that existing

water wells in the Taunton Hill area "are marginal at best."

Resident Barb Neilsen of Fairchild Drive said some people on that road have

water supply problems. "What happens if they (developers) get their houses in

and I have problems with my well?," she asked.

P&Z Chairman John DeFilippe said the developer would set aside a bond to

repair any existing water wells damaged as a result of subdivision

construction. How such bond money would cover well repairs would be determined

on a case-by-case basis, he said.

Debbie Perlini-White of 46 Taunton Hill Road said "with 17 more homes going

in, that's a lot of water" that will be consumed by new residents. "This

development is too large for that piece of property," she said.

Resident Joseph Kelly of 103 Taunton Hill Road asked that Mr Slayback, the

developer's hydrogeologist, provide the P&Z with information concerning low

well yields in the area. Mr Kelly asked whether the town would be assuming a

liability by accepting wetlands on the development site as open space areas.

Open space land should be useful for recreational purposes, he said. Mr Kelly

urged P&Z members to ensure the proposed stormwater detention basins will

operate as stated by the developer. With the coming of The Estates on Taunton

Hill, the Taunton Hill area will lose its "country lane" atmosphere, he said.

He urged P&Z members to make sure the development's design is in accord with

the town's plan of development. If the P&Z considers it necessary, it should

hire an independent consultant to analyze the subdivision proposal, Mr Kelly

said.

Resident Matthew Matrullo of Fairchild Drive said he's lived on that road for

27 years. As more homes were built in the area, his water supply has dwindled,

he said. "I am seriously concerned about water," he added. The people who will

move into the new subdivision may be unfamiliar with having individual water

supply systems and thus not be prepared for the limitations posed by such

systems, he said.

Developer Responds

In response to Ms Pantuso's concerns about providing privacy along Lots 7, 8

and 9 of the development, Mr Wippermann said it's unclear if privacy buffers

will be created. As now planned, trees in that area will remain standing, he

said.

Of residents' concerns about water supplies, Mr Wippermann said "The

regulations are what they are regarding water."

Mr Nelson said that the amount of water flowing off Lot 13 onto a property

outside the development would decrease as a result of subdivision

construction.

Concerning icing problems on Taunton Hill Road, Mr Nelson said the developer

plans to divert some of the runoff water which now leaves the development site

and reaches Taunton Hill Road. When drainage improvements are made, about

two-thirds of the water that now reaches Taunton Lake Road will be diverted

elsewhere, he said.

Following the comments made on the subdivision proposal, Mr DeFilippe decided

to keep the public hearing open until at least January 16 to resolve two

questions on the project.

The chairman wants to find out whether the developer will have to reach a

"road work agreement" with the selectmen specifying what improvements would

have to made to town roads in connection with subdivision construction.

Also, the chairman pointed out that Lots 1, 2, 3 and 7, as depicted on the

subdivision map, have frontages on two streets.

Subdivision regulation 4.0.7 reads, in part, "Except in cases of unusual

topography or property lines, through-lots bounding on two generally parallel

streets will not be permitted."

The P&Z is expected to get an interpretation of that regulation as it applies

to The Estates on Taunton Hill proposal.