MONROE, CT — The developer of The Ridge at Monroe, a 19 unit age-restricted housing development under construction at 1271 Monroe Turnpike wants to add six more homes on the 14.9-acre property. An Inland Wetlands Commission hearing on an application to modify the wetlands permit was held Wednesday night.
Jason Edwards of J. Edwards & Associates, the engineering firm representing the applicant, told the commission the layout for the age 55 and older community would be slightly smaller than a 27-unit layout that had previously been approved on the property, which is next door to High Meadows condominiums.
“We’re not increasing that footprint over what was previously approved,” he said.
The proposal will create a total of 2.8 acres of impervious area, rather than the 2.9 acres of impervious area of the approved plan. It also includes a new septic area.
“The 19 homes are under construction now,” Edwards said. “We’re coming back to modify it. The limit of disturbance is the same.”
Steven Danzer, the soil scientist for the applicant, shared his professional opinion that there would be no significant impacts to the wetlands, according to Edwards.
Town Engineer James DiMeo recommended keeping the hearing open because minor changes could alter the plans and the applicant may have to submit more information. The hearing was continued to Feb. 28.
During the public comment portion of the hearing, several residents spoke against the proposal.
Michele Oltra, of Old Zoar Road, represented her mother Dorothy who lives in the neighborhood.
Oltra said she is not in favor of allowing 25 units out of concern over a disruption to the water table and possible contamination of residents’ wells on Old Zoar Road.
Mark Lamont, of Downs Road, asked if the development would be within the same footprint as the 19 units being built.
Edwards said it essentially will be, because the homes would be closer together.
A Downs Road woman said it is depressing to see all of the deforestation with trees being knocked down and the fauna changing.
Erich Tusch, of Highland Drive at High Meadows, said blasting was brought up when previous plans had come up for the property. If blasting is needed, he is concerned over the effects on wells and septic fields.
Chairman Keith Romano said blasting is something that would come up in a Planning and Zoning Commission hearing, not wetlands.
William Bermudez of Sunrise Terrace said he would like to see a traffic light or some maintenance of the area, because people speed on Monroe Turnpike and he does not want to see more crashes.
Romano said traffic is a Planning and Zoning Commission issue.
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Just wish the new sellers and buyers have to abide by 2 acre zoning as we had to when our land was bough in 1995. As homeowners we cannot divide a 3.35 acre parcel into two, but developers can and have placed 2o or more homes on 14 acres. Just not fair to those of us who pay taxes on land we own and believed any surrounding land had to abide by.
Marvelous Monroe is no more! The Commercial vehicles our out of control with all the buildings and fast foods lined up on Route 111! And, explain why property taxes are up for so called country life! 😢