Sacrificing Trees For PR

To the Editor:

It’s interesting to note how profit can motivate a business to do things they themselves would find outrageous as customers. Case in point: Bashert Developers, LLC of New York appeared before Newtown’s Planning and Zoning Commission on January 4 to request a modification to its building permit for The Woods, a new 178-unit age restricted adult community on Route 6 near the Bethel line. The modification would allow the company to place two large trailers alongside Route 6. One trailer is to be a sales office, the other a model apartment. Together they encompass nearly 6,000 square feet of space.

To accommodate the trailers and associated parking, a large swath of mature woods bordering the Liberty at Newtown property on one side and Christ Fellowship Church on the other would be cut down and an access road installed. Bashert’s representative at the P&Z meeting explained that the developer was seeking the modification because the company did not want prospective buyers to use the existing Pocono Road entrance because of safety concerns with construction equipment on the road. The representative also stated that because of the safety issue, buyers would not be allowed to view the units under construction.

It seems clear that the company’s concerns are more than a little transparent and deceitful. Most likely, Bashert doesn’t want prospective buyers to use Pocono Road because it is somewhat rundown and passes an assisted living facility located onsite. So the company has proposed placing its trailers on a tiny sliver of property a mere 120 feet from the beautiful Liberty at Newtown complex to leverage that upscale community’s esthetics. Never mind that in so doing a large number of trees bordering the complex and wetlands must be cut down, thus destroying views and the tranquility of space Liberty’s residents were assured would remain a buffer should the adjoining property ever be developed.

Clearly there are alternatives Bashert could, and should, consider in marketing its new community. GDC and Toll Brothers built similar communities. Their sales offices were located on the same road used by construction equipment. Prospective buyers donned hardhats and were escorted on tours of their properties. Though Bashert intends to “restore” the trailer site after construction is completed in several years, waist-high saplings don’t easily or quickly replace mature woods.

People in this community pride themselves on its beautiful New England character. Our town works hard to manage growth while preserving the environment that makes it so special. Bashert should be ashamed of their ill considered plan that negatively affects neighbors and leaves a scar on a beautiful piece of property that will take many, many years to heal. A simple change that makes use of the existing road leading into the property would establish Bashert as a concerned company that’s sensitive to its neighbors and old fashioned in its ethic. And, they don’t need a special exemption from P&Z to do so.

Donald F. Leonard

38 Joal Court, Newtown                                            January 10, 2007