MONROE, CT — A developer is planning to built 99 single family homes on what is known as the Renz Pond property at 201 Turkey Roost Road. A hearing for the wetlands permit application was closed Wednesday night.
The Inland Wetlands Commission directed Cheryl Vallerie, the town’s wetlands enforcement officer, to draft a resolution of approval with conditions to be voted on at its next meeting on Oct. 11.
The site had an illegal quarry in 1952, and the activity went on for several decades, damaging the land and wetlands, while sparking a long history of litigation.
Quarry Ridge Associates purchased the property in 2003 and worked with the town to restore it, while preparing the land for the housing development which, if approved, will provide an estimated $1,188,000 to $1,485,000 in annual tax revenue to the town, according to the project narrative.
Planning and Zoning Commission approval of a site plan will also be needed.
During the Inland Wetlands hearing Wednesday night, Attorney Christopher Russo, who represents the applicant, said, ‘this proposal is breathing new life into this property.”
Aside from the housing, Russo said the proposal includes the planting of 400 trees on what now resembles a “moonscape”.
Approximately 81 acres of the property, which is at 139, 141 and 201 Turkey Roost Road and 30 Cobblers Hill Court, would be preserved as open space.
Russo said much of the focus has been on the number of residential units being proposed, but noted how only 15.7 of the 147-acre-property is wetlands, and said the housing is a “much better alternative” than developing the entire site.
Russo said no activity is being proposed in the wetlands. The two existing driveways and culverts on the property would be used, so there would be no new crossing over Smith Brook, he said.
The application includes a drainage and stormwater treatment plan and erosion controls in compliance with Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection standards, Russo said.
The development would be served by public water and a community wastewater treatment system regulated by DEEP.
Among some of the conditions of approval would be restriction of homeowners’ use of pesticides and salt, a construction easement and a turtle protection plan.
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what is the size of the property for each house? what is the zoning size for the area?
Money talks …