Great Quarter Road Subdivision

Gains P&Z Approval

By Andrew Gorosko

Following a review of development plans, Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) members have approved a three-lot residential subdivision on Great Quarter Road in Sandy Hook, which would result in the construction of one new house on the site.

Great Quarter Road is a long residential dead-end street that extends northward from Berkshire Road (Route 34), near the Monroe town line. Great Quarter Road provides public access to Lower Paugussett State Forest.

Following a May 1 public hearing, P&Z members unanimously approved the subdivision for a 10.2-acre site at 50 Great Quarter Road submitted on behalf of applicant David W. Clark III of Vermont.

Engineer Bill Carboni of Spath-Bjorklund Associates, Inc, representing the applicant, told P&Z members that the site currently holds three summer cottages, which would remain there. One new house would be built on the property, he said.

Mr Carboni said that the applicant received a zoning variance from the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) required to subdivide of the property.

During the public comment section of the hearing, resident John Karlson of 167 Great Quarter Road told P&Z members that Great Quarter Road is a very narrow road, posing travel difficulties for motorists.

There are many wetlands on the site, Mr Karlson added.

Cathy Karlson, of the same address, stressed that the road is very narrow.

“More houses will make [the road] more congested,” she said. “What used to be a country road is now more like a main thoroughfare,” she said.

Ms Karlson expressed concerns about the prospect of tree removal at the site.

In response, Mr Carboni said there are no wetlands on the development site.

Development plans call for the addition of only one house, he said. Clearing and grading work would be done on the property in preparation for the construction of one house, he said. The lot upon which the new house would be built would be a conforming building lot located on a public street, he said. The site has F/R-2 zoning.

Following the public hearing, P&Z members approved the subdivision, requiring that the applicant post a $5,800 performance bond for the installation of building lot markers.  

P&Z members decided that the application meets the subdivision requirements for F/R-2 zoning. The approval takes effect on May 12.