Developer Asked To Provide Better Intersection Sight Lines

By Andrew Gorosko

In a move to enhance traffic safety, the Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) is asking a developer who wants to build an eight-lot residential subdivision off Taunton Hill Road to work out an agreement with the town through which motorists’ sight lines at the intersection of Taunton Hill Road and the proposed subdivision road would be improved.

P&Z members July 20 asked that developer Michael Zeerip reach an agreement with the selectmen that would allow Mr Zeerip to create better sight lines for motorists at the intersection for the proposed subdivision, known as Boulder Creek.

At a June public hearing on the development proposal, many nearby residents pointed out that sight lines along the narrow winding Taunton Hill Road are limited. Building a new road extending off Taunton Hill Road would create a spot with turning traffic where there are strictly limited sight lines, they cautioned.

 Mr Zeerip wants to build the development on 22 acres in Dodgingtown in the area where Northeast Utilities’ high tension electrical lines cross over Taunton Hill Road. Mr Zeerip proposes extending a 1,200-foot-long dead-end road off the west side of Taunton Hill Road to create eight house lots. Seven new houses would be built, and one existing house would remain. Shelly Road borders the site on the west.

“I really don’t think enough has been done with sight lines on this property to ensure public safety,” said P&Z Chairman Daniel Fogliano.

“There’s some roadwork that needs to be done,” added member Heidi Winslow. Although the developer has proposed clearing away some existing brush to create better sight lines, that brush would grow back, again posing sight line problems, she added.

More work must be done than simply cutting back some brush, she said.

Ms Winslow suggested that the developer do some regrading on the land alongside the road near the proposed intersection.

However, such regrading would require the developer to obtain permission from the town to alter the town’s right-of-way alongside the road, she said.

Mr Fogliano suggested that the developer work out such an agreement with the selectmen and then return to the P&Z. The developer provided the P&Z with a time extension to review the subdivision proposal, providing time for an agreement to be reached with the selectmen.

The development would contain about 4.5 acres of open space, about twice the amount of open space required by the land use regulations.