Date: Fri 22-Nov-1996

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDYG

Quick Words:

da-Mota-Taunton-Hill-P&Z

Full Text:

Plans For Taunton Hill Subdivision Resubmitted

B Y A NDREW G OROSKO

Da Mota, LLC, has resubmitted its plans for The Estates on Taunton Hill, a

proposed 19-lot subdivision on 60 acres near Taunton Hill Road and Taunton

Ridge Road.

The limited liability corporation has submitted plans for the project in the

past but has had to withdraw them for failure to meet technical requirements.

The subdivision would involve the construction of 17 new houses. Two houses

already exist on the da Mota Estate.

After its last plan submission, da Mota withdrew its application for the

project at 4 pm on June 6, just four hours before a public hearing on the

plans. The developer reportedly provided insufficient technical information to

the Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) concerning soil testing. Prior to the

June submission, da Mota withdrew an earlier set of plans in February.

As part of its latest application to the P&Z, da Mota has provided a traffic

study and a water supply feasibility report.

In the past, such reports often were submitted to the town only after the

neighbors of a proposed development expressed environmental concerns and

requested that such studies be performed.

Also, heightened public awareness of developmental issues in recent months has

often led the neighbors of proposed developments obtaining "intervenor" status

from the P&Z.

Intervenor status allows a third party to a development application to raise

environmental issues about the construction proposal. It is expected that

intervenor status will be granted in the da Mota proposal.

The da Mota project would involve some new road construction in the form of

Phenix Lane and Glenmor Drive.

Taunton area residents have expressed environmental concerns over development

in their area in recent months

The controversial 15-lot Wedgewood development proposed by M&E Land Group for

property off Taunton Hill Road is pending before the P&Z.

Taunton Properties, LLC, gained P&Z approval earlier this year for a

controversial five-lot subdivision known as Sturges Woods on Taunton Hill Road

and Sturges Road.

Traffic and Water

Adler Consulting of White Plains, NY, prepared a traffic report on The Estates

on Taunton Hill. The traffic report states, in part, the development would

create "no measurable impact on traffic operating conditions... the external

roadway system will provide for efficient travel for through-traffic as well

as support the traffic that will be generated by the proposed development."

Russell Slayback, a hydrogeologist with Leggette, Brashears, and Graham, Inc,

of Trumbull, performed a water supply feasibility study.

In his report, Mr Slayback writes, in part, "There is no evidence to suggest

that wells on The Estates of Taunton Hill subdivision property would adversely

affect any off-site wells, including those of which are presently substandard

wells."

In September 1995, the Conservation Commission issued a wetlands construction

permit to da Mota for the subdivision.

The developer is required to notify all people who own property within 500

feet of the edge of the development site that there will be a public hearing

on the property. There are 78 parcels of land within 500 feet of the site.

The public hearing for the development hasn't yet been scheduled. It may be

held in January.