UPDATE ON PROPOSED MAJOR SUBDIVISION NEAR JENKINS PARK

UPDATES FOR PROPOSED SUMMERHILL MAJOR DEVELOPMENT
Highlights from the April 24th, 2019 Planning Board Meeting

"The Preserve at Summerhill"
New York Development Group
Major Subdivision at Scotchbush Rd. & Jenkins Rd SBL #256.1-7
Propose to add 29 lots to parcel owned by Charles Morris with existing residential home on Jenkins Rd

The parcel is located on the corner of Jenkins Road and Scotchbush Road. The overall parcel is approximately 60.75 acres, it is zoned hamlet residential. The 29 lots on the section that we are proposing for development on minimum lot size would be 15,000 sq. ft., the frontage would be 65 ft. minimum, 20 ft. front yard setback, 5-foot side-yard set-back.

UPDATE ON THE WATER LINE EXTENSION NEEDED

Mr.. Lansing informed the Planning Board that they have been meeting with the town and things are in order and he is extremely confident that they will approve the water extension.  The water extension would extend down Jenkins to Scotchbush to the entrance to the project.

Atty Chauvin responded that they have had multiple meetings with the applicant, Town Supervisor, himself, the highway department, CT Male, and the previous town senior planner and ultimately have reached an agreement for a formula and actually have a draft document circulating among the attorneys at this point which would obligate the applicant to not only extend that water line approximately 600 feet from its current point to service his project but to allow the necessary construction placed in the roadway for the residents along that route to tie in. In addition, the applicant has committed to contribute a dollar amount per dwelling unit of the subdivision upon approval to be payable upon either the building permit or certificate of occupancy of each unit which would be contributed to a designated fund that will over time accumulate and allow for further extension of that water line, essentially paving the way to fund the extension of the water lines and close the loop to service the reminder of the residents in the area.  Also, there is the possibility of another parcel that was previously owned by the BH-BL School District which is under contract and planning to be developed – Kathryn Serra of CT Male has done an analysis of the potential build out there and we will hopefully be looking to that applicant to help close that loop to provide water to even more residents.  Katheryn Serra reminded the board that the water extension has not been approved by the Town Board yet and it will need to go on their agenda as a resolution.

TOWN ENGINEER SKEPTICAL OF DENSITY
Kathryn Serra of CT Male, the town's engineer told Mr. Lansing that this plan is lacking any sort of detail to the board to even be able to ascertain if 29 new homes actually fit on this piece of property.  The storm water management basin was moved to a different location that was deemed conceptually better than the previous location but the issue she takes with the new location is that it is on a hill of a 16 foot elevation drop. She really wonders how they will get the storm water retention that they require. She has asked for a preliminary grading plan. Same thing for the septics, she understands that that assessments were done and asked they please provide that information since a lot of the public comments have to do with the concern for septics. She stated that is used to seeing engineering plans with this level of detail but she is not convinced this will work.  The property is large, the property is low and wet, the applicant is stating that they are building on the high part with good soil and she would like to see those reports.  "I know you are looking for a nod of approval tonight but from an engineering stand point I can not tell the board or the public that 29 houses even fit here."  The town engineer then asked them to please do due diligence in order for the board to act to move this project forward.

You can read the original Sketch Plan Presentation from December 19, 2018   HERE