Subdivision Approved On Beaver Dam Road

By Andrew Gorosko

The Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) has approved a four-lot residential subdivision, known as Miller Ridge, in an environmentally sensitive area along Beaver Dam Road.

Beaver Dam Road is a lightly settled dirt road off Brushy Hill Road.

P&Z members unanimously approved the development project in a 5-to-0 vote on October 4. The action takes effect October 15.

The 27.3-acre site has addresses of #6 and #16 Beaver Dam Road. The land lies within a floodplain. Donald Miller is the developer.

In approving the development plan, P&Z members placed several conditions on the project. P&Z members are requiring the developer to post an $82,100 bond on the project for the construction of a subdivision road, drainage improvements, and the installation of water storage facilities for firefighting. Also, lot pins, which define the boundaries of residential lots, will be installed at the site.

P&Z is requiring that the developer permanently mark open space areas on the site. Such areas are open to the public for passive forms of recreation, such as hiking, bicycling, horseback riding, and nature study.

P&Z Chairman Daniel Fogliano said the development plans approved by the P&Z are consistent with the town’s subdivision regulations.

Based on environmental concerns, the development project has been scaled down. Initially, the developer proposed Miller Ridge as a six-lot subdivision. A revised version called for a five-lot project. It was the less intensive four-lot version of the development that eventually gained approval.

Mr Fogliano noted that the site is in a wet, environmentally delicate area, He said the four-lot proposal made for a “good application” for the site in speaking in favor of its approval.

Noting the extensive amount of time that the Conservation Commission spent reviewing environmental aspects of the project, P&Z member Lilla Dean spoke in favor of the subdivision.

Mr Fogliano said P&Z would allow the developer to work out the details of fire protection for the site with the town fire marshal. Fire protection could be provided by water stored in an underground storage tank, or by water stored in a pond, he noted.

Noting the complexities of storing water for fire protection in a pond on the Beaver Dam Road site, Mr Fogliano said he expects that an underground tank would probably be installed.