Date: Fri 13-Sep-1996

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDYG

Quick Words:

Camelot-hearing-P&Z

Full Text:

`Camelot' Hearing Draws Comments About Traffic, Water, And Drainage

B Y A NDREW G OROSKO

Residents living near the 110-acre site proposed for Camelot, a 42-lot

residential subdivision planned for Hattertown Road, have voiced concerns that

the development would pose problems with traffic safety, water supplies, and

drainage.

Cavaliere and Sons, Building Contractors, Inc's, proposal for the home

building project was the subject of a September 5 Planning and Zoning

Commission (P&Z) public hearing. The land lies west of Hattertown Road and

north of Purdy Station Road.

The former farm includes meadows and woodlands. The subdivision would contain

two new streets, Merlin's Lane and Arthur's Court, and would reserve 14 acres

for open space, said Larry Edwards, representing Cavaliere. Possible future

resubdivisions on the land would result in a total of 44 lots, Mr Edwards

said. Mr Edwards is an Easton land engineer and surveyor.

"The property is suitable to support the proposed development," he said,

adding it would pose no adverse effects on public health, safety or welfare.

Hydrogeologist Russell Slayback, representing Cavaliere, said houses to be

built on the site would have four bedrooms. Domestic water wells in the area

provide highly variable water yields, he noted. People in the area who have

water supply problems tend to have poorly-functioning wells, he said.

Mr Slayback said wells in the area should be drilled deep to provide adequate

water during dry periods.

David McCauley of Rock Ridge Road, representing the Newtown Bridle Lanes

Association, said the developer has done a good job of laying out open space

land on the site. The proposed open space fits in well with the town's

"greenways" concept and indirectly provides public access to Huntington State

Park in Redding, he said.

Jack Halapin of Purdy Station Road asked whether his water well would function

properly after the development is built. He suggested that the developer post

a bond for 10 years to cover any problems the development might cause with

nearby wells. Additional houses in the area eventually will cause town

residents' taxes to increase, he added.

Glen Macon of Purdy Station Road said the intersection of Hattertown Road,

Purdy Station Road, and Mt Nebo Road is a very dangerous one. He suggested

that a four-way stop sign or traffic signal be installed there for the sake of

traffic safety. Many children live in the area, he noted.

Richard Pacheco of Old Purdy Station Road said additional road access to the

proposed development should be provided. Traffic safety issues stemming from

the construction of 42 houses must be considered, he said.

Fran Pacheco asked what effect Camelot would have on local schools. She noted

she moved to Newtown because the town wasn't overdeveloped.

Jim Daly, who owns a lot on Purdy Station Road, asked what guarantees would be

made concerning adequate future water supplies in the area in light of new

home construction. Mr Daly also raised concerns about drainage.

Kim Mastrianni of Poverty Hollow Road voiced her concerns about water flowing

toward her property, water supplies, and traffic.

Jack Mastrianni said the proposed construction density for Camelot is higher

than what exists in the area. He said Camelot could require a tremendous

amount of blasting for construction.

Brian Schlier of Old Purdy Station Road said too many homes are being

proposed. He expressed his concerns over traffic safety water supplies.

Dana Parker of Hattertown Road said Hattertown Road is now a dangerous street

where cars speed. The road isn't able to handle more traffic, he pointed out.

Property values will suffer, he added.

Roy Meadows of Poverty Hollow Road said that wetlands on the development site

contain the headwaters of the Aspetuck River. Those headwaters should be

protected, he said. That river feeds into a downstate public water supply.

In response to the various concerns expressed by area residents, Mr Edwards

said the development won't pose drainage problems.

Mr Edwards said the applicant will research how the intersection of Hattertown

Road and Purdy Station Road can be made safer, and how traffic will be

affected by new homes in the area.

The public hearing on Camelot is slated to resume either on September 26 or

October 3.