Date: Fri 31-Jan-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDYG

Quick Words:

P&Z-The-Estates-Rollingwood

Full Text:

Action Due On Two Controversial Subdivisions

B Y A NDREW G OROSKO

Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) members are scheduled to act on two

controversial subdivision proposals February 6: The Estates on Taunton Hill

and Rollingwood.

The two residential development proposals represent a total of 36 lots - 19

lots at The Estates at Taunton Hill in the northwestern section of town, and

17 lots at Rollingwood in the southeastern section.

The P&Z meeting is slated to start at 7:30 pm at Newtown Middle School

auditorium, 11 Queen Street.

Taunton Hill

Residents living near the site planned for The Estates at Taunton Hill told

P&Z members early this month they were concerned that added development there

will endanger existing well water supplies, create traffic hazards, and pose

drainage problems.

The residents spoke at a public hearing on development at the 60-acre site at

31-37 Taunton Hill Road. The site has proposed lot frontages on Taunton Hill

Road, Taunton Ridge Road and Great Hill Road. Two interior roads - Glenmor

Drive and Phenix Lane - would be built.

Three stormwater detention basins would be built to regulate drainage from the

site. After construction is complete, water would flow off the site at current

levels, according to Barry Nelson, an engineer representing Da Mota. The

development project would not worsen 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 to be

installed for firefighting. The two tanks are planned to hold a total 40,000

gallons of water.

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

sits 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 Da Mota, said traffic service

levels at the intersections that were studied would remain at "Level A," or

the highest service level, after the subdivision is built.

P&Z Chairman John DeFilippe has pointed out that four of the lots in the

proposed development have "dual frontages," or frontages on two streets.

An applicable subdivision regulation reads, in part, "Except in cases of

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

parallel streets will not be permitted."

At a January 16 session, Attorney Stephen Wippermann, representing Da Mota,

argued P&Z should allow all 19 lots requested by the developer.

Mr Wippermann pointed to past applications in which P&Z approved other

so-called "dual frontage" lots in other subdivisions.

Mr Wippermann said the road construction plan which the developer has

presented to P&Z indicates the most logical places to build roads.

Rollingwood

P&Z members have been considering a 17-lot development proposal on a 270- acre

tract known as Rollingwood.

Blakeman Construction, LLC, wants to resubdivide Lot 22 on the property, which

lies on the western side of New Lebbon Road.

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

a November P&Z public hearing on Rollingwood to explain their concerns about

the development proposal.

The proposed resubdivision would mark the third phase of a multi-phase

residential development project which already includes Marlin Road and Beagle

Trail. If all houses envisioned for the overall project are built, there would

be more than 90 residences in Rollingwood. The new road proposed for the

pending 17-lot construction phase is known as East Marlin Road.

In a 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 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 following the construction of more houses.

Stormwater treatment on the Rollingwood development site would minimize any

negative effects on water quality in the nearby Halfway River, according to

Robert Jontos, a drainage expert representing the developer.

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

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

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

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

exceptionally good water quality if it is to function properly. He added the

hatchery would not function if the watershed is developed. More residential

development in the area will degrade the water quality of the Halfway River,

he said.

Other Matters

Also at the February 6 P&Z session, three public hearings are scheduled.

Samaha, LLC, wants to resubdivide Lot 6 at Black Bridge Farms to create two

lots on three acres. The land is at Farm Field Ridge Road.

Joseph Scherpf wants to resubdivide Lot 6 at Valley View to create two lots on

six acres at Head O'Meadow Road and Kent Road.

Soap Box, Inc, represented by Louis Sproviero, is seeking an amendment to a

special exception to the zoning regulations to operate a laundromat at 65

Church Hill Road in the building where Newtown Pizza Palace is located.

Operating a laundromat there would be contingent upon the property's

connection to the municipal sewer system now under construction.