East Lyme Planning Commission opens hearing on 25-lot development that has drawn opposition
East Lyme — Residents continued to express concerns at public hearings this week that plans for a 25-lot subdivision at Spring Rock Road and Green Valley Lakes Road could harm the environment and create safety issues, while the developers' representatives said the plans are intended to minimize impacts on the area.
The Planning Commission opened a public hearing Tuesday for the 25-lot "Twin Valley" subdivision, which the developer’s attorney Ted Harris said is the last phase of a subdivision started in the 1970s. Harris said the developer also is requesting a waiver to eliminate a requirement for a section of road that he said serves no purpose to the subdivision.
The applicant, Bob Fusari Jr., is further seeking a permit from the Inland Wetlands Agency for the proposed subdivision road in the vicinity of the Four Mile River.
Joe Wren, a professional engineer representing the applicant, told the Planning Commission that the proposal is to build the road and infrastructure, while the lots could later be developed individually. If approved, the proposal is to begin building the road at the end of summer and complete it this fall.
He said 71 percent of the 97.3-acre proposed site will be open space, while 17.6 percent of the adjacent 200-acre neighborhood is open space.
Resident Matt Anderson requested a buffer between his house and a proposed emergency access road and said he is concerned because his 2-year-old daughter plays outside. He further said he would be nervous to take his daughter on a bike ride on the development's proposed 24-foot-wide main road with no sidewalks.
"I feel like a lot of things are being rushed," he said. "You're trying to cram a whole lot of houses that don’t fit the flow of the neighborhood."
When asked by a commission member if the development could have sidewalks, Harris said none of the other roads in the neighborhood has sidewalks.
Resident Kristen Chantrell said the undeveloped forested land helps filter out sound from the highway and asked for a larger buffer to protect the existing homes, since the nearby water would magnify noise from construction and the 25-lot subdivision. She also said homeowners have looked out at a large wooded area for the past 40 years, so the buffer would help maintain the character of the neighborhood.
About 20 people showed up for the Planning Commission’s hearing, which was ongoing as of deadline. It is expected to be continued to another date.
During a continued public hearing on Monday, the Inland Wetlands Agency allowed time for the developer to respond to comments that the public had made at a June 26 hearing. Residents of the Green Valley Lakes neighborhood have sent letters expressing concerns, including that the proposal would destroy nearby wetlands and vernal pools; potentially pollute groundwater and the Four Mile River, if septic systems fail; and create polluted runoff that would flow into the river, if homeowners apply pesticides to their lawns.
Bob Russo, a certified soil scientist for CLA Engineers of Norwich who spoke on behalf of the developer, said the project would have no direct impact on wetlands and the majority of activities would take place outside of the Upland Review Area, the 100-foot zone from wetlands and watercourses.
He said he agreed with Steven Danzer, a soil scientist and professional wetland scientist for Brian Lepkowski, an intervenor in the application, about a primary vernal pool located within wetlands on site. But he disagreed that there are also vernal pools in the eastern wetland.
Wren said Monday said the development incorporates components, such as a 24-foot road that reduces the amount of impervious surface and rain gardens for each lot. He further said alternatives to the site could be a multifamily, affordable-housing development.
Steve Trinkaus, a professional engineer representing the intervenor, alleged that the commission did not have enough information to evaluate all of the development's impacts. He further said the application represents a "lot of development on a small area."
More than 30 people showed up to Monday's meeting. Diane Lepkowski said there are more people who couldn't make Monday's meeting, but who "care about this area and are concerned and are standing with us as we fight for our backyards and the animals and the environment."
The Inland Wetlands Agency will continue the public hearing to 6 p.m. July 24 at Town Hall.
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