Date: Fri 27-Dec-1996

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDYG

Quick Words:

P&Z-Rollingwood-Environmental

Full Text:

Applicants Counter Environmental Criticisms Of Rollingwood Development

B Y A NDREW G OROSKO

Applicants for the proposed third phase of the Rollingwood residential

subdivision have responded to criticisms of the project made recently by

members of an area neighborhood association.

Blakeman Construction, LLC, wants to resubdivide Lot 22 in the Rollingwood

development into 17 new lots on northern side of New Lebbon Road.

So far, the Marlin Road and Beagle Trail sections of the subdivision have been

built. If all envisioned houses are developed on the sprawling 365-acre

parcel, there would be more than 90 homes constructed.

Attorney James Ledonne, representing Blakeman Construction, presented the

third phase of the development project to Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z)

members at a December 19 public hearing. Mr Ledonne said the 17-lot section of

Rollingwood now being sought by the developers previously was approved by the

P&Z when the land was owned by another developer.

Robert Jontos, a drainage expert from Land-Tech Consultants who represents the

developer, said 105 acres of the overall 365-acre project would remain as open

space land. The overall project involves the construction of 14,000 feet of

roadway. About five percent of the 365-acre area would have impervious

surfaces, such as roads, driveways and roofs, from which water would run off,

he said.

The treatment of stormwater collected by drainage structures on the

development site will minimize any negative impact on water quality in the

nearby Halfway River, Mr Jontos said. Trout spawn in the "Class A" river about

four miles from the development site, he said. Trout require a clean water

habitat.

Tree cutting on the development site should prompt an increase in wildlife

species there, he said.

The development plan proposed by Blakeman Construction addresses environmental

concerns which have been raised by area residents, Charles Spath told P&Z

members. Mr Spath of Spath-Bjorklund Associates, represents the developer.

The applicant is willing to do more work than initially proposed to protect

the environment, Mr Spath said.

Mr Ledonne added that the development proposal meets town subdivision

regulations and won't unreasonably affect water quality in the Halfway River.

Resident Martine Pigeaud of 4 Beagle Trail claimed that the river's water

quality will be harmed by the development. The developer should provide

alternative plans, she said.

Members of the New Lebbon/Beagle Trail Neighborhood Association attended a

November P&Z public hearing on Rollingwood to make clear their concerns about

the development proposal.

In a past letter to the P&Z, neighborhood association members stated: they

oppose the paving and widening of New Lebbon Road; they are concerned about

the presence of a sand pit nearby due to its steep slopes; cutting trees to

build the subdivision will hurt the environment; water wells should be drilled

and septic systems constructed before house are built; additional construction

bonding should be required of the developer; and traffic in the area will

increase after more houses are built.

In a December 19 letter, association members said the sand pit area shouldn't

be designated as open space land by the developer.

At the November hearing, Todd Bobowick, a co-owner of Rowledge Pond, Inc, said

a fish hatchery, such as the one at Rowledge Pond, requires exceptionally good

water quality if it is to function properly, adding that the hatchery won't

function if the watershed is developed.

More residential development in the area will degrade the water quality of

Halfway River, he said. The river's watershed leads to the pond.