For Residential Development—

P&Z Considers Creating Environmental Regulations

By Andrew Gorosko

Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) members are considering creating a new set of land use regulations to provide controls intended to ensure that new subdivision and resubdivision projects do not harm the environment.

P&Z members discussed the idea at an October 1 session, at which they reviewed a conceptual proposal on the subject submitted for review by George Benson, the director of planning and land use.

Currently, the Inland Wetlands Commission (IWC) reviews development proposals with an eye toward environmentally protecting wetlands and watercourses, plus the flora and fauna that inhabit those areas.

But Mr Benson observed that the P&Z does not sufficiently address the other environmental protection aspects of subdivision and resubdivision proposals.

The environmental protection of land proposed for development has reemerged as a topic during the past several months as the IWC has been reviewing Sherman Woods, a 38-lot residential subdivision proposed for a largely agrarian 158-acre Sandy Hook site in the area surrounded by Berkshire Road, Sugarloaf Road, Sherman Street, Still Hill Road, and Toddy Hill Road. The site has extensive wetlands and watercourses.

Residents living in that area have stressed to the IWC the importance of environmentally protecting the rustic area in view of its proposed residential development. Sherman Woods is the largest residential subdivision proposed locally in nearly a decade. The IWC is scheduled to act on the developer’s application for a wetlands permit for Sherman Woods on October 14.

Also, recently the P&Z has been reviewing the environmental aspects of Hunter Ridge, a 14-lot residential resubdivision proposed for a 30-acre site lying in an environmentally sensitive area between Mt Pleasant Road and Taunton Lake. 

Mr Benson suggested that the P&Z require subdivision and resubdivision applicants to formulate an “environmental impact assessment” in connection with their development applications.

There are environmental issues beyond wetlands and watercourses protection that warrant review by the P&Z, Mr Benson said.

“It just adds another level to our understanding of a subdivision,” he said. Most subdivisions of property involve residentially-zoned land, though such applications also may cover industrial and commercial land.

P&Z Chairman Lilla Dean said the P&Z needs to consider habitat diversity and habitat continuity as part of its subdivision review process.

Environmental Review

In his conceptual proposal, Mr Benson suggests a set of new regulations entitled “Environmental Impact Assessment for Subdivisions.”

Such rules would require the applicant to submit a report addressing certain issues such as: ecosystem fragmentation, including plant and animal habitats, plus wildlife corridors; the transfer of surface waters among interconnected watersheds; forest ecosystems; an inventory of natural resources; species diversity; flora and fauna, including threatened and endangered species; food chain disruptions; diminished species populations; changes in predator-prey relationships; and generally, the environment, public health, and public safety.

Mr Benson asked P&Z members to provide comments on his suggestions for environmental regulations covering subdivision and resubdivision proposals.

P&Z member James Belden said that much of the data that would be included in an environmental impact assessment already exists in some form.

Ms Dean said P&Z members would review Mr Benson’s ideas. “We’ll all take this under advisement,” she said.