P&Z Reviews Botsford Hill Road Resubdivision Proposal

By Andrew Gorosko

Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) members are reviewing a developer’s proposal to create a four-lot residential resubdivision in Botsford, which would involve the construction of three new houses on the 12-acre Botsford Hill Road site.

Developer Jonathan F. Hayden is proposing the project for 12 Botsford Hill Road, which lies on the south side of Botsford Hill Road and east of Stuart Drive.

Engineer Larry Edwards, representing the developer, told P&Z members at an April 3 public hearing that the project involves the resubdivision of land that was originally subdivided in 1972.

One of the four proposed lots would contain an existing house. The three other proposed lots would contain new houses. The hilly site has R-2 residential zoning, which requires a minimum two-acre lot size.

A section of the site lies within the town’s Aquifer Protection District (APD), Mr Edwards said. The project, however, does not require an aquifer impact assessment, he added.

The developer proposes giving the town a fee in lieu of open space instead of designating actual open space land on the site, Mr Edwards said. There is no local open space in the immediate area, he noted.

The resubdivision would not involve any new road construction. One new driveway would serve one lot. Another new driveway would be a common driveway extending approximately 650 feet from Botsford Hill Road, after which it would split into two separate driveways to provide access to two home sites. The project’s design includes two frontage lots and two rear lots.

Mr Edwards said the site contains no wetlands, adding that the project’s design meets applicable erosion control and sedimentation control requirements.

The property would contain multiple drainage control basins to regulate stormwater flowing off of the site.

Public Comment

Resident Fred Biondi of 7 Stuart Drive told P&Z members that the development proposal would adversely affect his property. Mr Biondi said his domestic water well could be adversely affected by drainage flowing from the development site.

“I’m going to be affected in a lot of ways,” he said. The presence of new adjacent septic systems could pose threats to his water well, he said. Also, the proximity of new construction to his yard would create privacy issues, he said. The presence of new houses near his home would affect his ability to sell his home, Mr Biondi said.

If trees are cut near his property, it could destabilize the soil, resulting in a possible landslide, he said.

“I’m really going to get hurt,” he said.

Mr Biondi urged P&Z members to visit his property to better understand his concerns about the development proposal.

P&Z Chairman Lilla Dean said that P&Z members routinely make site inspections for such construction proposals.

Resident Mario Pizighelli of 29 Botsford Hill Road expressed concern that the project would create stormwater drainage problems for his property, which lies in a low spot.

Resident Shulin He of 9 Stuart Drive said that new construction near his residence could damage his privacy.

Resident Sue Deilus of 21 Swamp Road asked about the prospect of removing rock ledge from the rugged site, inquiring about the need for blasting on the property. She also expressed concerns about the proposed development causing stormwater runoff problems in the area.

Engineer Responds

Mr Edwards said the project’s design would direct drainage away from Stuart Drive. The project would conform with applicable town development regulations, according to the engineer.

The closest new house on the site would be about 120 feet away from the adjoining property on Stuart Drive, he said, adding that the closest driveway would be about 20 feet away from that property, he said.

Mr Edwards said he expects the site would require some blasting in preparation for new construction. He explained that preblast surveys would be conducted at nearby properties as part of the construction insurance that covers damage caused to those properties due to blasting.

The engineer acknowledged that blasting could affect existing nearby water wells, causing temporary turbidity problems.

Mr Edwards said the project would not adversely affect Swamp Road properties. Swamp Road lies south of the site.

Mr Edwards said he would revise the project’s design to move a proposed driveway farther away from Stuart Drive and also to provide a vegetative buffer between the development site and Stuart Drive properties.

Ms Dean said the town engineer would be reviewing a revised development proposal for the site, after which the P&Z would resume its public hearing on the application on May 1.