After reviewing design plans for the project, Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) members have approved a residential subdivision for land at 77 Bennetts Bridge Road, near that street’s intersection with Lakeview Terrace and Gelding Hill Road.

P&Z members unanimously approved the development project following a March 7 public hearing, according to P&Z records.

Local builder and applicant Michael Burton, who owns the sloped 6.4-acre site, received P&Z approval to divide the land into two lots. The property is in a R-1 (Residential) zone. A 1749 Colonial salt box-style house will remain on the property. One new house will be constructed nearby on a separate lot.

Because the application is a subdivision, about 1.49 acres of the site will be reserved as open space land. An initial public hearing on the subdivision project was held on February 7, during which P&Z members had asked Mr Burton to provide additional details on the application. The builder provided the information before the P&Z vote occurred.

As a condition of approval, the P&Z is requiring that town-approved open space markers be installed at the site to identify the area designated as open space before a building permit is issued for the planned new house.

Voting in favor of the subdivision on March 7 were P&Z Vice Chairman Jim Swift, Barbara Manville, Corinne Cox, Roy Meadows, and David Rosen. The approval takes effect on March 30.