Date: Fri 09-May-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDYG

Quick Words:

P&Z-Meadow-Acres-JoMar-Drive

Full Text:

Resubdivision Approved On JoMar Drive

B Y A NDREW G OROSKO

A two-lot resubdivision in the Meadow Acres residential subdivision in Sandy

Hook has gained Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) approval.

In a 3-to-1 vote at a May 1 session, P&Z members approved developers Robert

and Kathryn Mathison's request to resubdivide Lot 25/26 into Lot 25 and Lot 26

on JoMar Drive. The resubdivision splits a 3.4-acre building lot into two

building lots. The land is near the westbound lanes of Interstate 84.

P&Z member Heidi Winslow said archaeological artifacts might be present at the

site. Ms Winslow said she hopes the developer avoids disturbing any artifacts

that might turn up during the construction process.

P&Z member Daniel Fogliano pointed out that, based on the development

proposal, Lot 25 would have a steep driveway.

The property should remain as one building lot as it was earlier approved by

the P&Z, Mr Fogliano said.

P&Z members then voted to approve the two-lot resubdivision, requiring that: a

pumped septic system be installed; the septic system be designed by a licensed

engineer; three-bedroom houses be built in light of the septic system designs;

and that certain grading work be done.

Ms Winslow and P&Z members Thomas Paisley and Daniel Rosenthal voted in favor

of the resubdivision. Mr Fogliano voted in opposition.

The two-lot resubdivision will mark the end of residential development on

Jo-Mar Drive, a loop road which extends off Riverside Road.

In November, in a 2-to-1 vote, the P&Z approved the controversial Meadow

Acres, a 10-lot development on 20 acres on Jo-Mar Drive and Philo Curtis Road.

That approval required the developers to avoid disturbing any archaeological

artifacts present on building lots by positioning houses, driveways, and

septic systems away from such artifacts.

The November approval granted by the P&Z amounts to a reconfiguration of a

previously-approved subdivision for the land.

At a September public hearing, residents living near Meadow Acres voiced many

environmental objections to the development project. The concerns included

that the construction of new houses would hurt area residents' quality of

life, pollute the air, damage the land, increase property taxes, hurt

archaeological sites, overcrowd local schools, impair public safety, and

generally damage the environment.

The original Meadow Acres subdivision gained town approval in the 1960s when

nearby Interstate 84 and Iroquois natural gas transmission pipeline hadn't yet

been built.

The town and the developers plan to share the costs of some drainage

improvements for Philo Curtis Road in connection with the project. Those

improvements will be made on the deteriorated section of Philo Curtis Road

between Treadwell Park and I-84.

Eight of the lots in Meadow Acres are along Philo Curtis Road. Approving the

two-lot resubdivision now makes Meadow Acres an 11-lot development.