P&Z Approves Chestnut Hill Subdivision In Sandy Hook

By Andrew Gorosko

Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) members have approved a residential subdivision, known as Chestnut Hill, planned for land at Chestnut Hill Road and Route 34 in Sandy Hook.

At a September 4 session, P&Z members approved the three-lot subdivision for 11 acres as proposed by H&F, LLC. The P&Z had conducted a public hearing on the proposal in August. There were no public comments at that 18-minute hearing.

In approving the development proposal on September 4, P&Z members placed a number of conditions on the project.

Before the developer files subdivision maps with the town, a $33,525 performance bond must be submitted. Of that amount, $30,000 would cover the installation of a 30,000-gallon underground water storage tank, which would be used for firefighting. The other bonding would cover the installation of lot boundary pins and lot monuments, as well as the placement of markers delineating open space areas and conservation easements at the subdivision.

The P&Z is requiring that the developer permanently mark open space areas and conservation easements on the site. Such markings make obvious to the general public and to potential homebuyers which areas are open for public use as open space, and which areas are protected from development through easements.

 Such markers are posted during the project’s development and before the issuance of building permits. The Conservation Commission will specify the type of field markers to be used and where they will be placed.

Also, the P&Z is requiring that a conservation easement on Lot 1 of the subdivision include a 56-inch-diameter maple tree. Including that tree in the easement area would prevent the tree from being altered. The tree’s root system is included in the conservation easement.

The P&Z also is requiring the developer to modify the project’s sediment and soil erosion control plans to address the protection of that maple tree. Devices designed to protect the tree and its root system during the subdivision’s construction must be installed before any building permit is issued.

P&Z members decided that the Chestnut Hill project meets town subdivision regulations, as well as the provisions for the FR-2 zone. The FR-2 zone, which is designated for farming and residential uses, requires a minimum of two acres for home construction.

The P&Z subdivision approval took effect on September 15.