Date: Fri 29-Nov-1996

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDYG

Quick Words:

P&Z-Rollingwood-New-Lebboon

Full Text:

Neighbors Comment On Rollingwood Subdivision

B Y A NDREW G OROSKO

Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) members are considering a 17-lot

development proposal on 270 acres known as Rollingwood.

Blakeman Construction, LLC, wants to resubdivide Lot 22 on the property which

lies on the northerly side of New Lebbon Road.

Members of the New Lebbon/Beagle Trail Neighborhood Association attended a

November 21 P&Z public hearing on Rollingwood to make clear their concerns

about the development proposal.

The proposed resubdivision would mark the third phase of a multi-phase

residential development project which already includes Marlin Road and Beagle

Trail. The new road to be built for the 17-lot phase is known as East Marlin

Road.

P&Z Chairman John DeFilippe noted that some members of the public who own land

within 500 feet of the development site didn't receive mailed notifications of

the public hearing as required by the town. Lawyers for the applicants

explained that they will notify those people of the continuance of the hearing

to be held December 19.

In a letter to the P&Z, neighborhood association members stated: there was

inadequate notification of the hearing; they oppose the paving and widening of

New Lebbon Road; they are concerned about the presence of a sand pit nearby

due to its steep slopes; cutting trees to build the subdivision will hurt the

environment; water wells should be drilled and septic systems constructed

before houses are built; additional construction bonding should be required of

the developer; and traffic in the area will increase following the

construction of more houses.

An attorney for the developer explained to P&Z members the applicant followed

standard procedures for notifying nearby property owners of the public

hearing, but the list of such people obtained from the town wasn't current.

Engineer Bill Carboni, representing the developer, said the plans presented to

the P&Z on November 21 are same plans as those previously approved by the P&Z

for another developer. The plans were resubmitted for P&Z review because the

previous approval had lapsed, Mr Carboni said.

As part of the third phase of the project, Blakeman Construction, LLC, has

agreed to widen and pave a section of New Lebbon Road. New Lebbon Road is a

narrow, winding road extending from High Bridge Road to the intersection of

High Rock Road and Gray's Plain Road. Most of New Lebbon Road is a dirt road.

A section of it near High Bridge Road has rudimentary "chip seal" paving.

The Pit

Developer Monty Blakeman of Shelton proposed taking steps to clean up what has

become known as "the pit," a open pit situated on the north side of New Lebbon

Road, to resolve area residents' complaints about the large hole in the

ground. Mr Blakeman said he will cooperate with area neighbors. The pit is now

blocked to vehicular traffic, he said.

Engineer Charles Spath, representing Mr Blakeman, said the pit was to have

been made into a pond where horses could be watered.

Todd Bobowick of 15 Rowledge Pond Road, a co-owner of Rowledge Pond

Aquaculture Services, a fish hatchery, told P&Z members he's done much

research on watersheds.

The headwaters of the Halfway River are located in the Rollingwood area.

Halfway River is a "Class A" stream, meaning it contains the highest quality

water, he said, noting that brook trout and brown trout spawn in the stream.

"The proposal before you is not a responsible proposal," he said of the

proposed subdivision's potential negative effects on area surface water

quality. The development proposal is one based on economics, Mr Bobowick said.

A fish hatchery, such as the one at Rowledge Pond, requires exceptionally good

water quality if it is to function properly, he said, adding that the hatchery

won't function if the watershed is developed.

Even the presence of six houses on Beagle Trail is damaging to water quality,

he said, arguing that more residential development in the area will degrade

the water quality of Halfway River.

The drainage structures proposed for Rollingwood, such as stormwater catch

basins and storm drainage pipes, address the quantity of water running across

the land, not the quality of that water.

Mr Bobowick recommended against allowing horses access to "the pit" if it is

flooded.

If the P&Z approves further Rollingwood development, he will be put out of the

fish hatchery business, Mr Bobowick said. The proposed development is too

dense for the watershed, he told the commission.

"Just as there are rights to develop property, there are rights to protect

your own," he told P&Z members.

Resident James Elia of 19 New Lebbon Road said he wants to have that street

remain a dirt road. He added it would be wise to upgrade the road's storm

drainage. Mr Elia predicted there will be much traffic on New Lebbon Road in

the future.

The Rollingwood hearing will resume December 19.