Neighbors Concerned About Sandy Hook Subdivision

By Andrew Gorosko

People living near the site of a proposed 18-lot residential subdivision on Route 34 and Paugussett Road in Sandy Hook have expressed concerns about the environmental implications of the development project.

Conservation Commission members October 27 began a public hearing on Pasture Farm, an 18-lot subdivision proposed for 73 acres by developer and property owner Sylvester Cocivi of Fairfield. Cocivi is seeking a wetlands permit from the Conservation Commission.

The parcel lies across Route 34 from Chestnut Hill Road. The property includes 28 acres of wetlands. The applicant proposes donating 23 acres, virtually all of which is wetlands, to the town for use as open space for passive recreation. The wetlands, consisting of a swamp, pond and watercourses, lie on the eastern edge of the property near Paugussett Road.

At the public hearing, about 10 area residents expressed their concerns about the development proposal. The concerns included: water submerging a road, flash flooding, drainage, erosion, water well contamination, stormwater runoff, the level of the water table, the presence of wetlands, damage to vegetation, water pollution, the filling of wetlands, wildlife habitat, and development density.

Conservation Official C. Stephen Driver also raised concerns about the owner’s storage of manure on the property.

 Fifteen of the 18 proposed lots fall under the review of the Conservation Commission. Less than one-tenth of an acre of wetlands would be altered for construction. Wetlands work would include a wetland crossing for road construction, plus filling work for driveway construction.

The developer proposes constructing a new dead end road, known as Pasture Farm Road, extending northward into the parcel from Route 34. Fifteen of the lots would have frontage on that road and the three remaining lots would have frontage on Route 34.

The Conservation Commission public hearing on Pasture Farm will resume November 10. If the application gains Conservation Commission approval for wetlands construction work, it would be submitted for subdivision review by the Planning and Zoning Commission.