To the Editor:

We are writing in opposition to the proposed development "Hunters Ridge" to be located at 79 Church Hill Road, Sandy Hook. According to the plans submitted to the Town of Newtown, there would be 50,000-plus square feet of commercial space in addition to 224 apartments that would be contained in six, four-story buildings.

This development would not only be out of character with the residential homes on the surrounding properties, but would be a scar on the hillside and the first impression to our charming town when departing on what we believe is the most traveled exit to Newtown. This development is a threat to our aquifer, which serves half of our residents, and with the developer's estimates of adding 800 cars per day exiting onto Walnut Tree Hill Road it will be a major safety hazard to pedestrians and vehicular traffic in an already accident-prone area.

When you consider a project of this scope and the amount of fill that will be removed from the site (approximately 5,000 dump truck loads), this alone will create a traffic nightmare both during the morning and evening commute; this does not even take into account trucks traveling into the site bringing construction supplies. We are asking that our town committees do their due diligence, and do what is best for our town and its residents.

Sincerely,

Beth and Kevin Koschel

20 Evergreen Road, Sandy Hook    January 31, 2018