Date: Fri 26-Feb-1999

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDYG

Quick Words:

Parmalee-Hill-P&Z-subdivision

Full Text:

P&Z To Consider Parmalee Hill Subdivision Plan

BY ANDREW GOROSKO

A Trumbull development firm has submitted residential subdivision plans to the

Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) proposing the creation of 13 lots on

almost 40 acres off Parmalee Hill Road.

Daniels Hill Development, LLC, of Trumbull is proposing Daniels Hill Estates

for a rugged parcel lying northwest of Parmalee Hill Road, east of Georges

Hill Road and north of the Housatonic Railroad tracks.

The developers propose extending a new 1,490-foot-long dead-end street into

the site from the west side of Parmalee Hill Road. Nine acres of the site,

largely in the form of a seasonal pond, would be designated as open space for

passive forms of recreation. The property is an R-2 zone, meaning building

lots must be at least two acres in area.

In December 1997, the developer applied to the Conservation Commission to do

regulated construction work in wetland and watercourse areas. The commission

conducted public hearings on the application in February and March 1998, and

rejected the application in April 1998.

The developer sued the Conservation Commission in May 1998, seeking court

approval for the project.

According to the developer's lawsuit, the commission's denial of the

application was based on considerations which were not part of the public

hearing record, exceeded the commission's powers, and was speculative and

vague.

The developer later submitted a revised wetlands application to Conservation

which gained commission approval last September. The lawsuit was subsequently

dropped, said C. Stephen Driver, town conservation official.

Mr Driver said, February 19, the revised wetlands application addressed and

resolved concerns which were raised by commission members when they rejected

the initial application.

To meet those concerns, a proposed building lot has been reduced in size so

that it is not resubdividable; open space boundary lines have been

repositioned; some drainage issues have been resolved, and the proposed

location of a septic system has been moved, Mr Driver said.

Forty-two properties lie within 500 feet of the edge of the development site.

Those property owners will be notified by mail of an upcoming P&Z public

hearing on Daniels Hill Estates. The hearing is scheduled for Thursday, March

4, at 8 pm, at the town land use office, Canaan House, Fairfield Hills.