Date: Fri 13-Dec-1996

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDYG

Quick Words:

P&Z-Wedgewood-Taunton-Hill

Full Text:

P&Z Rejects Wedgewood Subdivision On Taunton Hill

B Y A NDREW G OROSKO

Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) members have rejected unanimously the

controversial Wedgewood residential subdivision proposed for land off Taunton

Hill Road.

On December 5, Chairman John DeFilippe and members Thomas Paisley and Heidi

Winslow turned down the project proposed by M&E Land Group. The Wedgewood

proposal involved 15 building lots on 27 acres. Only 14 houses would have been

built because one house already exists on the site.

Before the vote, P&Z members suggested to the developers that an independent

environmental expert be hired to analyze the potential effects of Wedgewood.

But the developers were not willing to go that route, instead preferring that

the P&Z make a decision on the development application December 5.

Attorney Robert Hall, representing M&E, told P&Z members there has been much

public discussion about Wedgewood during recent months, adding that it is

unclear if hiring an expert would prove helpful. Mr Hall then asked that P&Z

members to vote on the proposal.

Mr DeFilippe responded that unless the developers were willing to grant a time

extension for added P&Z review, the P&Z had to vote on the matter that night.

Mr DeFilippe again asked the developers to endorse an independent

environmental study of the project.

But Mr Hall responded there has been enough research into the development

proposal, noting that he appreciates that questions arise when a development

application is disputed.

Both the applicants and opponents of the project presented expert scientific

witnesses on Wedgewood in public sessions dating back to August.

Mr Paisley observed the site contains some steep slopes and wetlands that

contain much water.

Although the proposal conforms to town rules concerning minimum building lot

sizes, it is questionable if there should be so many building lots on the

property, he said.

Ms Winslow said the development as planned would cause drainage, sedimentation

and siltation problems on an adjacent property. She said that a hydrogeologist

hired by opponents of the project made some helpful environmental points at a

past session on Wedgewood.

"I feel that the intervenor... raised enough concerns that this is not the

best plan for the property," Ms Winslow said.

"There is a misuse of the land as far as the drainage (plans) on this

application," she said.

A main concern expressed by nearby residents at past P&Z sessions is that

creating Wedgewood would deplete their domestic well water supplies.

Robert Melvin, the hydrogeologist hired by Wedgwood opponents, has said that

water wells in Wedgewood should be drilled before houses are built there to

ensure that adequate water supplies are available. Pre-drilling such wells

also would provide flexibility in drilling a second well for a house, if it's

needed, according to Mr Melvin.

The developers refuted the points which were raised about water supplies.

Mr Melvin also has recommended that the building lots in the proposed

development be reconfigured due to the proximity of intermittent surface water

in the areas proposed for septic systems.

The Taunton Hill Road area proposed for Wedgewood has many wells with low

water yields, and many existing wells have had to be redrilled to provide

adequate water supplies, according to Mr Melvin.

At a past session, Attorney Helen McGonigle, representing the Taunton

Dodgingtown Area Association, asked that the developers reduce the number of

lots proposed for Wedgewood.

Taunton Hill Road residents living near the site have told P&Z members they

strongly oppose the development because it would jeopardize their well water

supplies, overcrowd the area, cause drainage problems, and create added

traffic hazards.

The site which was eyed for development is on the east side of Taunton Hill

Road, just west of Cannon Drive. Cannon Drive is a dead end street that

extends westward from Birch Hill Road toward Taunton Hill Road.