Pawcatuck neighbors fight development plan

Stonington - Residents of a lower Pawcatuck neighborhood are fighting a plan to build 68 two-bedroom townhouses and seven single-family homes on a 46.8-acre site along Greenhaven and Mary Hall roads.

The Richard C. Panciera Trust and Cherenzia Excavation of Pawcatuck are seeking a special use permit and subdivision approval from the Planning and Zoning Commission, which held a public hearing last month in which 15 opponents spoke against the plan. The commission has continued the hearing to Aug. 2.

Opponents say the Crescent Club project will change the character of the neighborhood of single-family homes and generate additional traffic that will endanger the walkers, cyclists and runners who use the road. They also charge the blasting needed to remove ledge could damage their homes and wells.

But attorney Thomas Liguori Jr., the Cherenzia treasurer, said the project, which has been three years in the making, meets all zoning regulations. He said Fountain Crest, Cherenzia's similar 76-unit project in Westerly, has actually increased prices in the neighborhood and did not dramatically increase traffic.

In a letter to the commission two weeks ago, Mary Hall Road resident Peg Moran wrote that the "densely packed urban style development" does not fit the neighborhood, which she said is a haven for up to 100 walkers.

Another Mary Hall Road resident, Richard McKrell, told the commission at the hearing that maintaining the character of the neighborhood is an important factor in protecting the value of individual homes and the overall appearance of the neighborhood. He said the attached housing units would harm the character of the neighborhood.

"The inclusion of attached housing units in the subject developer's proposal tell us this: either the developer doesn't know the area or they don't care about the character of the neighborhood," he told the commission.

Neil Madden, also of Mary Hall Road, told the commission the plan violates zoning regulations as only part of the property is zoned for multifamily use. He also said that the proposal fails to conform with the town's Plan of Conservation and Development.

As for the blasting, Moran wrote that "such a massive attack on ledge rock can alter both the quantity and quality of water in the area."

She said blasting could also affect adjacent wetlands and the flow in neighborhood wells. She added that while residents of the new development would be served by water from the Westerly Water Co., 34 existing homes, including hers, would still have wells that could be damaged by the blasting.

Madden recommended that if the project moves forward the commission should require that seismic recording and monitoring be done by an independent third party.

Madden said that wall wells, homes and foundations should be inspected for damage before and after blasting.

He also recommended that the developers establish an escrow account administered by a third party to pay for any damage and eliminate litigation.

Liguori said that on Aug. 2, the developers will present the commission with an outline of a plan for a third party to survey properties before blasting, test the closest wells to the site and then monitor the blasting.

Moran also questioned if it was wise for the commission to approve so many new units of housing when there are already many on the market and prices are falling.

She warned that the town could be left with acres of stripped land, damaged wells and unsold housing units.

But Liguori said developers think there is a market for the units with those nearing retirement looking for vacation and weekend homes, those who are retired and young professionals too busy to care for homes. They would be priced at $280,000 and $315,000.

Opponents have launched a blog detailing their opposition at www.lovetheloop.blogspot.com.

j.wojtas@theday.com