Eight-Lot Subdivision Off Alpine Circle Requested

By Andrew Gorosko

Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) members are considering a proposal to build an eight-lot residential subdivision on some rugged terrain at the end of Alpine Circle, in the Riverside section.

Excelsior, Inc proposes Old Wagon Estates for 13.6 acres in anR-1 zone south of Alpine Circle.

Engineer Alan Shepard, representing the applicant,told P&Z members at a February 17 public hearing Excelsior would improve Alpine Circle as part of the development project.

A new dead-end road, which the developer proposes extending off Alpine Circle, has the potential to eventually connect to the dead-end Morgan Drive, Mr Shepard said. Such a road connection would create a direct link between the Riverside neighborhood and Jeremiah Road.

 In an earlier version of Old Wagon Estates, the developer had suggested eventually linking the proposed new road to Stone Gate Drive, a dead-end off Jeremiah Road that lies just west of Morgan Drive. 

 Instead of the individual domestic water wells that typically are drilled in residential subdivisions, the applicant proposes linking the homes in Old Wagon Estates to a community water system now in use in the area, Mr Shepard said.

Alpine Circle, which now is a private road, would become a public road under an agreement reached between the developer and the selectmen. About 6,000 cubic yards of earthen fill would be removed from the development site to make it suitable for home construction, according to Mr Shepard. Such earthen cuts would be needed to achieve the town’s grading standards for development. Site development would include two vehicular brook crossings.

 Questioning the development application, Attorney Cordalie Benoit said, “I think, with Old Wagon Estates, we are clearly putting the cart before the horse.”

The Conservation Commission should approve wetlands aspects of the development application before the P&Z considers it, Ms Benoit said. The developer has a wetlands application simultaneously pending before the Conservation Commission for the construction of a 760-foot-long new road, as well as the upgrading of Alpine Circle.

Ms Benoit said the proposed improvements to Alpine Circle have not been clearly described by the developer. The lawyer also questioned drainage aspects of the development project.

In a February 16 letter to First Selectman Herbert Rosenthal, Mary McNee of 25 Alpine Circle questioned the development project. Nine people who either live on Alpine Circle or own property there signed a petition stating they do not want new paving work done on that narrow loop road. There are 16 houses on the densely developed street.

In response to criticism of the development proposal, Mr Shepard said, “This is a good plan.”

The improvement of Alpine Circle will not involve the removal of buildings or stone walls, or the relocation of building foundations, he said.  

  The P&Z continued its public hearing on the development plan to March 2 to allow town staff members to review and comment on the proposal.