Date: Fri 28-Mar-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDYG

Quick Words:

P&Z-subdivisions

Full Text:

Nine New Subdivision Applications Received By P&Z

B Y A NDREW G OROSKO

The Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) has received nine subdivision and

resubdivision applications totalling 69 lots.

Because the submissions were made before the P&Z took action on proposed new

regulations on residential subdivision development, which are much stricter

than the current regulations, the applications will be considered under the

terms of the more lenient existing land use rules.

The P&Z was scheduled to meet on the night of March 27, after the deadline for

this edition of The Bee, to possibly act on the proposed rule changes.

(See related story.)

Developers Thomas Maguire and Larry Edwards have submitted three resubdivision

requests, plus two subdivision proposals for P&Z consideration.

Doing business as PSD Partnership, they are seeking approval for three

separate resubdivisions within the approved Whispering Pines subdivision in

Sandy Hook.

Whispering Pines is a 13-lot residential subdivision on 26 acres currently

under construction near Pine Street, Cherry Street, and Narragansett Trail.

Public controversy over the amount of earth material to be removed from

Whispering Pines prompted the P&Z to propose the new regulations to strictly

regulate how much earth material can be removed from building lots.

PSD is seeking approval to resubdivide the 3.6-acre Lot 7 into two lots along

the planned Miya Lane.

Also, PSD wants to resubdivide the 3.1-acre Lot 10 into two lots also along

Miya Lane.

PSD also is seeking P&Z approval to resubdivide the 2.05-acre Lot 11 into two

lots along Narragansett Trail.

The P&Z will set public hearing dates for the three resubdivision requests.

Whispering Pines initially was proposed as a 19-lot subdivision. The P&Z

rejected that plan in April 1996. PSD returned with a 16-lot development

proposal which the P&Z modified to be a 13-lot project. PSD then sued the P&Z

over its cutting the project down to 13 lots.

To settle that lawsuit, the developers agreed to a 13-lot approval and various

development stipulations. In reaching the settlement, though, the developers

reserved the right to seek P&Z approval for three separate two-lot

resubdivisions at Whispering Pines to bring the project back up to 16 lots.

Doing business as M&E Land Group, Mr Maguire and Mr Edwards are seeking P&Z

approval of Tamarack Woods, a proposal consisting of 10 lots on 33 acres in

the triangle of land formed by Tamarack Road, Sanford Road, and Echo Valley

Road. The proposal includes 3.8 acres of open space land.

M&E recently received Conservation Commission approval for its third version

of Tamarack Woods.

Previous versions of Tamarack Woods have been hotly opposed by nearby

residents who contend the land is isolated, extremely rugged, and unsuitable

for residential development.

Last December, P&Z members rejected a second version of Tamarack Woods, saying

the open space donation proposed for the project didn't meet town standards.

M&E then sued the P&Z. M&E later gained wetlands Conservation Commission

approval for the wetlands construction work proposed in the third version of

the project.

The P&Z will schedule a public hearing on the latest version of Tamarack

Woods.

Doing business as M&E Land Group, Mr Maguire and Mr Edwards are seeking P&Z

approval for a revised version of Wedgewood Estates, a development project

which drew heavy opposition last year from nearby residents. M&E wants to

create 13 lots on 25 acres on land off Taunton Hill Road. A new road,

Wedgewood Court, would be built to serve the complex which would have 3.5

acres of open space.

Last December, P&Z members rejected a 15-lot Wedgewood proposal, saying the

project's design would pose drainage, sedimentation, siltation and erosion

problems on an adjacent property. Area residents had raised many concerns that

building new houses in the area would deplete their already-unreliable

domestic well water supplies.

M&E sued the P&Z over its rejection of Wedgewood and is now seeking approval

of the scaled-back version.

P&Z members will set a public hearing date on the development request.

Blakeman Construction, LLC, is seeking P&Z approval of two more sections of

the ongoing Rollingwood residential subdivision in the vicinity of New Lebbon

Road and Toddy Hill Road.

In Section 4 of Rollingwood, Blakeman is seeking permission to create 5 lots.

In Section 5, the construction company wants to create 24 lots.

The two sections of the development would include more than 39 acres of open

space land.

In February, the P&Z approved the controversial Section 3 of Rollingwood,

placing many environmental restrictions on that 17-lot project. Area residents

had raised many objections about environmental and traffic aspects of the

development plan. Public hearing dates will be set on the Section 4 and

Section 5 development proposals.

The ongoing Rollingwood subdivision, when completed, is expected to have about

90 homes.

SARJ Properties, Inc, wants P&Z approval to create 5 lots on 13.8 acres in

Misty Vale Acres on Misty Vale Road in Sandy Hook. The resubdivision proposal

includes 1.3 acres of open space land. A hearing date will be set.

Also, Bennetts Farm Associates wants permission to resubdivide Lot 100 at

Bennetts Farm, a major subdivision in Sandy Hook. The applicant seeks to

create 6 lots on 12.3 acres. The proposal would involve building a new road

known as Clapboard Ridge Road. A hearing date will be set.

In December, the P&Z approved a section of Bennetts Farm consisting of 36 lots

on 84 acres in the vicinity of Yogananda Street.