The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Opposition decries subdivision plan
Residents: Use of open space will cause area to lose verdancy, character
MIDDLETOWN — A group of residents came together on Wednesday to speak out against a proposal to build a residential subdivision on 56 acres of undeveloped land at the intersection of Ridgewood Road and Mile Lane.
Previously used for agriculture, the lot is now largely meadows and wetlands that drain to the Mattabesset River.
Sunwood Development Corporation applied to build a 14-lot subdivision on the property, and many residents are binding together to stop the development from happening — citing overpopulation, traffic concerns, and destruction of wildlife, among other reasons.
Four of the 14-lots proposed would be at the end of Talias Trail off Mile Lane. The other 10 would be front-facing lots on Ridgewood Road, each about a half-acre in size.
At Wednesday night’s meeting at City Hall Council Chambers, residents had varying opinions — those behind the idea to purchase the property and others who want to keep the space green.
Bob Weiderman Jr., owner of Sunwood Development and principal of the property, spoke on behalf of the application at a Planning and Zoning meeting July 11. That evening, he presented blueprints to the commissioners. He addressed how he has responded to remarks he has received from several different city departments.
The police department traffic unit had no concerns and the Wetlands Commission determined there was no impact on the wetlands, according to Weiderman.
After his presentation, the public was given a chance to comment. The vast majority of the comments were against the development, however, not everyone was in opposition.
“When you have a developer like this in Middletown, we want to encourage them to come build beautiful houses and maintain the neighborhood,” said Marie Coughlin, a 50-year resident of the city’s Westfield section.
Jennifer Mahr, chair of the Westfield Residents Association, asked the commission to consider the character of the area.
“On this corner, it’s sort of a last remaining more rural, more farm-like area
in this part of town,” Mahr said. “A row of houses up along Ridgewood Road seems out of character.”
Commissioner Molly Salafia addressed sidewalk concerns not specified in the plans.
“If the city felt it was important to have sidewalks there, they should have it in their plan or have already installed sidewalks in that area,” Weiderman told her.
Commissioner Stephen Devoto further addressed the sidewalk issue, citing safety concerns with children walking to and from school.
“Would you be willing to voluntarily put in sidewalks?” he asked the developer.
“It’s not something I would prefer to do. It’s a major cost, and, while I can appreciate the desire for sidewalks, it’s hard to justify that cost,” Weiderman said.
A focal point of the meeting was concerns about wildlife in the area.
According to a preliminary assessment issued last December by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, there are “known” extant populations of state-listed species that live within, or close to, the boundaries of this property.
Three plant and two animal species, such as the Eastern box turtle, were
listed as possible concerns. Also noted were the Willdenow’s sedge plant and American Bittern, which are on the Connecticut endangered species list.
Despite these concerns, the letter said it is not a final determination and a more detailed review is necessary to move forward with a permit application.
A follow-up report issued last week by consulting firm Milone & MacBroom concluded that none of the species identified in DEEP’s assessment were found within areas of the proposed development. The fieldwork was completed in June by three environmental professionals from the agency.
While none of the species were observed, they did find preferred habitats for the Eastern Box Turtle and American Bittern on the parcel.
“Site protections will be incorporated into the site plan to avoid impacts on these species,” according to the report.
“We are going to save and protect over 45 percent of the property,” Weiderman said at the July 11 meeting, according to the minutes. He said his proposal would maintain and preserve 20 acres of wetlands and six acres of uplands.
On Wednesday, Weiderman presented further documentation showing he
was compliant with all codes and regulations.
“I believe that the developer does meet everything that the city has asked for,” Commissioner Elizabeth Emery said. “I hate to see that much land go. Our codes allow for the developer to go in, so we would need to change our codes,” she said.
The matter passed with six affirmative votes and one abstention.
Ridgwood Road resident Janet Freimuth said she purchased her home specifically for the open space.
“The neighborhood has already been intruded upon time and time again, and it is really sad that the neighborhood is going to lose its character.”
“It’s sad. The whole history of Westfield district is disappearing,” said Shawn Guiheen, 21.
“We moved to Middletown because it upheld values that we were looking for, and we enjoyed the open space,” said resident Steven LeClair. “Building on this property, the pristine fields, and around the wetlands, really goes against all the values that the town promotes, and against all the environmental teachings that we instill in our kids.
“We are all about Middletown. I’d like Middletown to come back and do the same for us,” LeClair said.