P&Z Approves 8-Lot

Sandy Hook Subdivision

By Andrew Gorosko

The Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) has approved Belle Vista, an eight-lot residential subdivision planned for rugged land off Great Ring Road in Sandy Hook.

Jim Klar of Timbermill Associates, LLC, and Lou Trombetta plan eight lots for 27 acres at 14 Great Ring Road, in the vicinity of Thunder Ridge Road. The developers provide six acres of open space for passive recreation. About 940 feet of new roadway will be constructed to provide road frontage for new houses.

In approving the project, the P&Z is requiring the developers to post a $197,000 performance bond, plus cover $12,260 in costs for improvements to nearby town roads.

The P&Z also is requiring that easements for open space areas in the subdivision be permanently marked, to make it obvious to the public which areas are open for passive recreation.

The P&Z held public hearings on Belle Vista in December and October.

In October, P&Z members had asked the developers to make a variety of changes to their initial development proposal in light of a long list of concerns that had been raised by the town engineer and health department. More than 43 percent of the site is categorized as having steep slopes or wetlands.

Initial P&Z concerns about the site focused on erosion and sedimentation control, plus the suitability of open space areas for passive recreation.

In October, resident Kevin McNerney of 22 Great Ring Road told P&Z members that motorists drive fast on Great Ring Road. Mr McNerney urged that motorist safety be considered in terms of subdivision design. Great Ring Road will intersect with the planned subdivision road.

The P&Z’s sight line regulations specify the minimum sight distances that must be available to motorists at intersections to give drivers adequate time to see oncoming motorists before making turns in intersections.

After a review of the initial development plans last fall, P&Z Chairman Daniel Fogliano had told engineer Curtis Jones, representing the developers, that the project was fraught with flaws.

But Mr Jones had responded that the problems were technical in nature and could be resolved, adding that the developers would work with town officials to gain approval for the subdivision. Mr Jones has said the applicants would keep development on the site off the steeper slopes.