Hanover Heights—

Subdivision Proposal Draws Concern From Nearby Residents

By Andrew Gorosko

People living near a residential subdivision proposed for acreage off Hanover Road have voiced concerns about the project to the Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) and are urging that steps be taken to minimize the project’s impact on the area.

Developer Robert Mastroni proposes an eight-lot subdivision known as Hanover Heights for a steep, rugged site consisting of more than 30 acres at 64 to 74-A Hanover Road. The property is on the east side of Hanover Road, near the intersection of Hanover Road and The Boulevard Extension.

The project earlier had been proposed as a six-lot subdivision, but has now become an eight-lot subdivision with Mr Mastroni’s acquisition of additional adjacent land, said attorney Robert Hall, representing the developer at an October 6 P&Z public hearing.

Having the added land would allow the developer to provide better vehicle access to the site, the lawyer said.

Engineer Alan Shepard, representing Mr Mastroni, told P&Z members that the project has been redesigned to shift its proposed subdivision road to a better location than was previously proposed. The new dead-end street would extend onto the site from the east side of Hanover Road.

The sightlines for motorists at the intersection of Hanover Road and the proposed new road are workable, Mr Shepard said.

The engineer suggested that the P&Z accept a fee in lieu of open space from the developer instead of open space acreage on the parcel. The P&Z would use such a fee for the acquisition of open space elsewhere.

Mr Hall told P&Z members that the site would be marked with stakes to allow agency members to better correlate the plans for the project with the actual terrain.

Public Comment

Attorney Ward Mazzucco of Danbury, representing the residents of a home at 74 Hanover Road, said the development’s design would make for “tough access” to the site.

Mr Mazzucco urged that the P&Z reject the application in its current form. If the project is approved, there should be certain design changes made in order to minimize the project’s impact on his clients, the lawyer said.

Kenneth Mackenzie of 71 Hanover Road said that stops signs should be used to create a four-way stop at the intersection of Hanover Road, the Boulevard Extension, and the proposed new dead-end street leading into the subdivision. Currently, there is a stop sign on Hanover Road at its intersection with The Boulevard Extension. Mr Mackenzie noted that the end of the proposed new subdivision road at its intersection with Hanover Road would be located near a blind curve.

He also raised concerns about potential drainage problems caused by the land development.

Lauren Liniger of 51 Horseshoe Ridge Road pointed out that blasting done by the developer would affect her, possibly damaging her property. The proposed development would adversely affect the town’s character, she added.

Edward Kimble of 76 Hanover Road noted that domestic well water problems exist in the area. The proposed development would contradict the sense of the 2004 Town Plan of Conservation and Development, he added.

Kevin Fitzgerald of 24 Old Farm Hill Road questioned the developer’s need to demolish an existing old red barn on the site.

Mr Fitzgerald said that the proximity of Interstate 84 will pose noise issues for the residents of Hanover Heights. He added that a natural gas pipeline is located nearby. He urged that the developer provide a buffer zone containing trees between the site and adjacent properties.

Mr Fitzgerald asked whether the project would create stormwater drainage problems in the area. He said that mailings to nearby residents about the October 6 public hearing contained a discrepancy concerning the address of the development site.

Noel Walls of 20 Old Farm Hill Road said the mailed notice of the hearing was confusing.

Response

In response to the public comments, Mr Hall said the developer does not want restrictions placed on the location of a house on a building lot, as was requested by Mr Mazzucco. The developer is willing to plant trees at the site to create a buffer zone, Mr Hall said.

Mr Hall said that the subdivision road would enter the site from Hanover Road through an area to be cleared of rock ledge. That entryway to the site would not be lined with rip-rap, he said. Rip-rap is a mass of broken stones that are thrown together irregularly or loosely to stabilize steep slopes.

P&Z member Robert Mulholland suggested that the developer physically move the old red barn on the site in order to preserve that structure.

P&Z Chairman William O’Neil suggested that barn preservation be made a condition of a P&Z approval of the development proposal.

Mr Shepard responded that the developer would consider that proposal.

P&Z members decided to reconvene the public hearing at an upcoming P&Z session after the developer has staked on the site to provide points of reference to the P&Z to better interpret the design plans.

Mr Hall said he would mail notices of the reconvened hearing to property owners living near the development site.