On Thursday, August 20, Newtown Planning & Zoning Commission held a regular meeting to discuss two applications. Commissioner Connie Widmann acted as chair for the meeting and sat Alternate Commissioners Jill Soderholm and Charlie Gardner.

The first application discussed, 26.13, by GRC Construction LLC, had been ongoing for a few meetings. The application was for a subdivision at 9 Beechwood Drive “to subdivide the site into three single-family building lots.”

Attorney Peter Olson represented the applicant, Greg Carnrick, as he was not present at the meeting. Olson reminded the commission that the only reason this application was left open was to receive the Town Engineer John Curtis’ comments.

“One paragraph essentially says he’s fine with it at this point,” Olson said. “So we’d ask that you close the public hearing and move to deliberation and vote to approve.”

Olson then read Curtis’ comments that the rip swale is “considered sufficient for this subdivision.” Curtis did recommend adding more vegetation to the embankments for “additional reinforcement.”

Olson mentioned that the applicant will have to return for specific site plans, which may include revisions to the current stormwater management system.

Widmann then asked the public if anyone would like to comment. There were none. She then made a motion to close the public hearing. She asked if there were any comments from the commission. There were also none.

Commissioner Barbara Manville then read the motion to approve the application into the record. The motion was approved unanimously.

Subdivision On Valley Field Road South

Widmann announced that she was not going to recuse herself as she was previously involved in the property, but no longer has a financial or personal relationship with the property at 12 Valley Field Road South and felt she could make a proper decision without bias.

Application 26.15 by Michael Burton Builders Inc was for a subdivision at 12 Valley Field Road South to “subdivide the site into two lots.” Michael Burton is the owner of the property.

He explained the property is about 22 acres and has an 1800s era house with a barn. Burton added that he was in competition with a few other local builders.

“One of the applications would’ve been to knock the house down and put a road in and put eight lots in. A second application, I was of the impression that they were going to do a cluster housing road off of Sleepy Hollow,” Burton said. “My application is nowhere near that severe, so I’m hoping that the commission likes it.”

Burton took the first cut, as the property was eligible, about two months ago. The first cut created a 4.2-acre parcel, which is where Burton hopes to subdivide further. The first lot will contain the existing house and barn, the second would be new construction. There are no exceptions for this lot and Burton said it meets all zoning requirements.

Burton is going to remodel the old house and save it. He said that while it is not a historical house, “it’s part of the neighborhood and it’s been that way for 100 plus years. So I think it’s worth saving and keeping. It’s got a nice barn on it, so that’s the intention on that.”

He went over a revised map that showed a relocated driveway to accommodate the new lot lines. Burton also said there are some other “outbuildings” that are going to be demolished, like a dog kennel and some other structures.

Burton touched on Curtis and Director of Planning & Land Use Rob Sibley’s comments on stormwater management. Sibley noted the property is not within the aquifer protection district and an inland wetlands permit is not required and that there should be rain gardens for the roof water. It is not an archaeological site nor is it historic, and Burton opted for a fee in lieu of open space, which was approved by the Conservation Commission.

As for septic, Burton explained the “test holes that were done in ’99 were determined by the health department to be sufficient for both the existing septic and a future reserve if need be.”

After his presentation, Widmann opened up discussion for commissioners. Alternate Commissioner Don Mitchell asked about the map of the entire property, including the first cut and subdivisions. Burton explained it was not part of the subdivision application and that what Mitchell was looking for is on file with the town clerk’s office. Sibley added that the map Burton presented to the commission needs to be added to the file for the application.

Widmann then invited the public to speak. Rick Schatz spoke first; he is an abutting property owner. He asked what the rest of the property will be used for, because the water comes down the mountain and will end up on his property. He also asked about the driveway because he believes there are “too many houses already on the street.”

Robert Hennessey spoke next; he also had a few questions about the application. He echoed Schatz’s question about what the rest of the property will be used for, as well as where the new house will be built in relation to his property, as Hennessy is also an abutting property owner. He also had questions about runoff, erosion, and tree clearing.

Melodaine Bonjour spoke next. She is also an abutting property owner and thought it would be helpful for the neighbors to “know exactly where the property sits in relation to the property lines.”

Bonjour said there is open space near her property but did not think it was reflected in the plans shown at the meeting.

“I think having more information about [the new property] would make us feel more comfortable,” Bonjour said.

Widmann reminded the public that the applicant is looking for a subdivision, and the site plans for the new house would come later. Burton then took the floor again to answer some questions.

He pulled the map back up and showed exactly where the subdivision would be, noting that most of the abutting property owners are not close to the subdivision. Burton also shared that he hopes to build a home for his family on the rest of the property.

Mitchell asked if Burton owned 12 Sleepy Hollow Road and asked if he wanted to build a home there. He answered yes to both questions.

Widmann asked if the commissioners had further questions, and there were none. She then asked for a motion to approve the application, which was provided. The application was approved unanimously.

The September 3 P&Z meeting has been canceled due to a lack of applications.

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Reporter Sam Cross can be reached at sam@thebee.com.