Date: Fri 06-Jun-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDYG

Quick Words:

P&Z-Misty-Vale-Acres

Full Text:

P&Z Approvals Misty Vale Acres Expansion

BY ANDREW GOROSKO

The Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) has approved a five-lot expansion of

the Misty Vale Acres residential subdivision in Sandy Hook, with member Thomas

Paisley dissenting.

In a May 29 vote, P&Z members approved SARJ Properties, Inc's, proposal to

lengthen the dead-end street, Misty Vale Road, and create five new home sites

on almost 14 acres.

Mr Paisley urged that the lengthened Misty Vale Road be connected to Jeremiah

Road, terming the plan to simply lengthen Misty Vale Road "not a well thought

out scheme." Town land use guidelines call for roads to interconnect to

provide multiple access points for emergency service vehicles to any given

place.

Having Misty Vale Road connect to Jeremiah Road would provide an added measure

of safety for residents in the area, Mr Paisley said.

The western end of Misty Vale Road now connects to Jeremiah Road. Mr Paisley

wanted the eastern end of Misty Vale Road to also connect to Jeremiah Road.

In their vote, P&Z members approved creating five home lots provided that:

vehicular traffic be restricted from traveling between the new turnaround of

Misty Vale Road and Jeremiah Road; that the existing turnaround area on Misty

Vale Road be removed; and that a water supply for firefighting be provided at

the development site, among other conditions.

P&Z member Heidi Winslow said she doesn't understand how connecting the

western end of Misty Vale Road to Jeremiah Road would improve public safety in

this specific case. There would have to be a severe curve in Misty Vale Road

if it were extended to Jeremiah Road, she said.

SARJ received approval for wetlands work for the project from the Conservation

Commission on May 14.

At a May 15 public hearing on the subdivision expansion proposal, engineer

Alan Shepard, representing SARJ, said there isn't any particular need to

extend the western end of Misty Vale Road to Jeremiah Road.

At that hearing, resident Michael Troy of 15 Misty Vale Road, whose property

is next to the development site, noted that much earthen fill will be placed

near his domestic water well as part of the construction project. Mr Troy

asked whether such work will result in his water well becoming contaminated.

Mr Troy said he's never experienced water supply problems with his well,

adding he wants to make sure his water supply remains as it is.

Mr Troy noted he has a finished basement and wants to ensure that any blasting

done for the development won't harm his house. Mr Troy said he would prefer

that no blasting be done for the project.

Representatives of the developer then assured Mr Troy that safeguards will be

taken to avoid damage to his property.

In its wetlands approval, the Conservation Commission allows SARJ to fill in

wetland soils for road construction, and to construct a stormwater detention

basin within 50 feet of a wetland, among other work.