P&Z Approves Residential Resubdivision in Botsford

By Andrew Gorosko

Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) members have approved a developer’s modified proposal to create a four-lot residential resubdivision in Botsford, which would involve the construction of three new houses on a 12-acre Botsford Hill Road site.

After reviewing a set of revised construction plans for the project at 12 Botsford Hill Road submitted by developer Jonathan F. Hayden, P&Z members unanimously approved the proposal following a May 1 public hearing. The approval is effective on May 12. The project involves the resubdivision of land that was first subdivided in 1972.

In response to criticism of an initial development proposal that was presented at an April 3 public hearing, the applicant modified the plans to lessen the construction project’s potential adverse effects on adjacent residential properties.

Civil engineer Larry Edwards, representing the applicant, told P&Z members that the project was redesigned with the nearby property owners’ concerns in mind. “We do listen,” Mr Edwards said.

The redesigned project would preserve a corridor of trees on the property along the western boundary of the site, he said. Mr Edwards said the developer would provide a conservation easement to preserve the landscape there.

P&Z member James Belden said preserving the trees would be a “great benefit” of the project.

Additionally, a planned common driveway that would serve two house lots at a high elevation on the site has been redesigned, pushing that driveway farther to the east to place it farther away from adjacent properties on Stuart Drive, he said.

Mr Edwards explained that in view of the town’s maximum allowable driveway grade of a 15 percent slope, the project will require some earthen cutting and filling to meet the driveway slope standards.

Resident Randi Kiely of 18 Botsford Hill Road told P&Z members that many boulders exist in the area planned for development, adding that the prospect of blasting needed to develop the site is worrisome. Ms Kiely noted that the site is a steep one.

Mr Edwards responded that blasters are careful when they blast.

P&Z Chairman Lilla Dean said the town fire marshal monitors blasting related to construction work. Ms Dean urged Ms Kiely to contact the fire marshal to express her concerns about the use of explosives.

Resident Fred Biondi of 7 Stuart Drive told P&Z members that his house is currently in good condition. He asked that the proposed construction be moved farther away from his house to protect his home.

Mr Biondi asked whether the construction project would result in problems for him during periods of heavy rain. He asked whether the headlamps of vehicles traveling on a new driveway would shine onto his house.

P&Z member Robert Mulholland said the revised resubdivision design is a good design.

Resident Tony Mohigel of 6 Stuart Drive expressed concerns that blasting in the area could adversely affect his septic system and domestic water well.

Again, Ms Dean urged Mr Mohigel to contact the fire marshal regarding his concerns about blasting.

The resubdivision would not involve any new road construction. One new driveway would serve one lot. Another new driveway would be a common driveway extending approximately 650 feet from Botsford Hill Road, after which it would split into two separate driveways to provide access to two home sites. The project’s design includes two frontage lots and two rear lots. One house already exists on the site.

In approving the resubdivision application, P&Z members placed a number of requirements on the project.

The developer must post a performance bond to cover the construction of a common driveway, the installation of a buried tank to hold firefighting water, and the installation of building lot markers.

Also, P&Z agreed to accept a fee in lieu of open space. Such fees are used toward the town’s acquisition of open space land elsewhere.

Also, P&Z is requiring that a 50-foot-wide conservation easement for land preservation be created on the site along its western edge.

The agency also requiring that suitable earth stabilization measures be taken at the site.

P&Z members found that the development application is consistent with the requirements of the town’s Farming/Residential 2-Acre (F/R-2) zone.