Date: Fri 11-Jun-1999

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDYG

Quick Words:

P&Z-Old-Farm-Hill

Full Text:

Final Phase Of Old Farm Hill Up For Approval

BY ANDREW GOROSKO

The developers of Old Farm Hill, a sprawling residential subdivision that lies

between Echo Valley Road and Old Green Road, are seeking Planning and Zoning

Commission (P&Z) approval to develop the last section of the 300-acre project.

Fairfield Ventures is seeking approval for a nine-lot subdivision of an almost

20-acre parcel located off Horseshoe Ridge Road. The homes would be built on a

new dead-end street. The development would include four rear lots.

The developers presented their plans for Section 2-B of Old Farm Hill at a

June 3 P&Z public hearing. P&Z members are expected to act on the application

at an upcoming session.

Attorney Bill Denlinger, representing the developers, told P&Z members that

the proposed nine lots are the last lots which will be developed at Old Farm

Hill. The developers began buying land in the area in the early 1970s, he

said.

About 38 acres of the overall 300-acre site has been designated as open space,

he said, adding that the open space is some of the best land in the

development. Development of the property has been underway for almost 20

years, he said. With an approval for the final nine lots, the project would

contain just over 100 lots.

P&Z members then opened the floor for public comments on the last section of

Old Farm Hill.

But there were no comments -- an unusual situation when a residential

subdivision proposal is at the public hearing stage.

"It's almost sad you don't have Old Farm Hill to kick around any more," Mr

Denlinger quipped, noting the controversy the development generated when it

was first proposed.

When the initial stages of Old Farm Hill were proposed in February 1980, it

generated much criticism, Mr Denlinger noted. The controversy spurred a

modified development proposal which resulted in a better subdivision than

initially planned, he said. The development evolved in a good manner due to

P&Z review of construction plans, he said.