Controversial 12 Lot Subdivision Sought for Hawthorne
A proposal for a 12-lot subdivision for Linda Avenue and Florence Avenue raised concerns of residents and Mount Pleasant Planning Board members at the Aug. 7 meeting.
G & F Associates is seeking subdivision and site plan approvals and a steep slope permit from the planning board.
The 9.46 acre parcel has portions zoned R-10 (which allows for one home per quarter-acre on the southern portion of the property and R-40 (which allows for one home per acre) on the southern part of the site.
Steve Dimovski, an architect employed by the developer, told the planning board that representatives of the developer have met on several occasions with neighboring residents of the property to listen to their ideas. “We’ve tried to address their concerns,” he said.
Some of the concerns expressed by neighboring residents have included access to the site and stormwater management, Dimovski said.
The stormwater management plan being worked on by the developer would reduce flooding of homes in the area, Dimovski said. Each homeowner would be responsible for maintaining their home’s catch basin, he said. By doing so the flooding of basements of neighboring homes would be reduced, he said. “It’s going to help the people at the bottom of the hill.”
Planning board member James Collins said he was concerned about the steepness of Florence Avenue, which would be the access street for the development. Ownership of the road would need to be transferred to the town, he said.
Planning Board member John Cohen said he had several concerns about the project, including the amount of cut and fill of earth that would be involved during the construction of the houses.
Most of the residents who spoke during the meeting had questions and criticisms about the project. Steven Kavee, chairman of the Conservation Advisory Council, said he had a number of concerns, including stormwater management and the property’s steep slopes. The planning board should instruct the developer to create an environmental impact statement for the project, he said.
Resident Allan Prop said he was concerned that several trees would have to be cut down in order to construct the houses. “What helps to hold back the water back is those trees,” he said, adding he also had concerns about access to the proposed homes.
One resident, Mark DiPaolo, said he could support the project. He said the developer has been listening to the concerns of neighboring residents.
Planning Board Chairman Michael McLaughlin said it was very early in the approval process. “There’s a lot of work that needs to be done,” he said.
No date for when the proposal would be back before the planning board was announced at the meeting.
