Date: Fri 04-Oct-1996

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDYG

Quick Words:

Brook-Knolls-hearing-P&Z

Full Text:

Brook Knolls Plan Raises Neighbor Concers About The Environment

B Y A NDREW G OROSKO

Residents living near the proposed Little Brook Knolls residential subdivision

haved raised environmental concerns over how the home building proposal would

affect their neighborhood.

Raymond-Anderson Properties, LLC, and The Estate of F. Francis D'Addario have

applied to the Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) for the resubdivision of

Little Brook Knolls, consisting of 12 lots on 20 acres on Turkey Hill Road and

Little Brook Lane. The project would involve the construction of a new road

called River Run. The land is near the Pootatuck River.

Attorney Bill Denlinger, representing Raymond-Anderson Properties, the land's

contract purchaser, said the houses the developers plan to build will be

residences that people can afford. Mr Denlinger spoke at a September 26 public

hearing on the proposed development.

Cindy Cascone who lives near the proposed development on Turkey Hill Road said

she has a sedimentation problem on her property which has caused damage to

trees there. Ms Cascone noted she has a shallow domestic water well. She asked

how the developers would solve her problems.

Rev Bill Minser of Turkey Hill Terrace said he supports the development

project. Rev Minser said, however, it is unfortunate that a bridge that

carries an unofficial road across the Pootatuck River will be closed off as

part of the project. Having the bridge closed will increase emergency response

times to the area from local emergency services, he said. Should there be

flooding, the area could be cut off from other parts of town in light of the

road closure, he said.

Gregory Branecky of Turkey Hill Road noted that people have dumped wastes in

the area, posing a threat of contamination. He asked what effect the dumping

might have on area properties. Mr Branecky suggested that the developers

modify their open space land donation to the town.

Christopher Currier of Mountain View Drive said roadways in the area have

decayed, noting that much excavation has been done to obtain gravel. Mr

Currier asked what effect such excavation will have on future drainage in the

area.

Mr Denlinger said the developers believe the source of the sand causing

sedimentation problems is uphill of the developers' property. The developers

plan to make drainage improvements in the area which is expected to alleviate

sedimentation problems, according to Mr Denlinger. He also said "We don't know

of any contamination in the area."

Teh attorney said the developers have a gravel mining permit and have been

mining under the supervision of the town.

James Palmer, an engineer representing the developers, said the developers can

make changes to their grading plan which have been recommended by the town

engineer.