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Date: 4/11/2023
SOUTHAMPTON — The Planning Board granted preliminary approval to a proposed 40-unit housing subdivision on College Highway, to be located between Lynn Drive and Gunn Road.
The proposal submitted by New City Properties LLC also features over 700 feet of frontage on College Highway, with four possible lots for commercial development. Mark Reed of Heritage Land Surveying told the Planning Board and a handful of residents that a roadway 26 feet wide will run 820 feet, from College Highway to a cul-de-sac behind the commercial lots and near the end of Lynn Drive, which also ends in a cul-de-sac.
The layout will facilitate the looping of sewer lines. The Board of Health recommended a gate between the two short drives, which may be joined in the future.
The land totaling 44.9 acres, informally referred to as the Labrie property, is currently owned by James and Eugene Labrie. It is under consideration for both of the town’s impending building projects, a new public safety complex and/or new Senior Center. The property backs onto a wetlands and the proposed greenway bike path.
Plans submitted by the applicants, Bob Cannon and Todd Baron, show two stormwater management areas near the proposed Southampton greenway. Abutters to the property questioned whether those features were sufficient. Bob Fletcher, owner of a dairy farm on Gunn Road, voiced concern that sufficient catch basins and related mitigation measures couldn’t contain the runoff from a series of major storms.
“I see all that asphalt and what we get for runoff,” Fletcher said. “I’m wondering what happens if we have a multi-storm event.”
Reed replied that the system, which includes storm water management areas and an access drive for maintenance, will be designed to handle all the storm water. Fletcher said zoning variances were granted on Gunn Road to accommodate a multi-unit development and the runoff isn’t contained.
“If you give all three a variance,” Fletcher said, referring to the commercial and residential projects in the area, “all three together exceed the runoff in a small area. I’m the guy who got it.”
Chair Paul Diemand said an independent reviewer will evaluate the stormwater system.
Abutter Christopher Grant told the board a stormwater easement was already granted in the area of Lynn Drive.
“It dumps a lot of water here,” Grant said, but “the water’s going back there.” Grant moved to his home less than a year ago. He added, “I don’t want to be on the hook for a failed septic system.”
Richard Harris, consultant to the Planning Board, assured Grant that no final decision would be made by giving preliminary approval. The purpose of the action is to allow for a better determination of the suitability of the water management being proposed.
“A preliminary plan is not binding on anyone,” Harris said. “If there’s issues with it, it can be denied. The purpose of the preliminary plan is to test the water, see if there are any objections.”
The proposal features an access drive between the two commercial lots closest to the Cumberland Farms store, across the street. The access point was situated to give the longest possible sight lines along College Highway. The access drive leads to a circular driveway where several multi-unit structures will be located, townhouse and duplex units with garages.
The proposed single family units will sit on lots between 30,000 and 38,000 square feet, though the lots adjacent to the proposed greenway will be larger, peaking at 3.42 acres. A total of 40 residences are proposed, with four being classified as affordable.
Diemand sought clarification on parking facilities for the commercial properties, whether there will be enough for both employees and any visitors.
“We don’t know if an office building is going in there, or what,” Reed replied.
Reed also clarified that a waiver will be sought from the requirement to have sidewalks on both sides of the road, as per zoning ordinances. Comments from the officials suggested one walk will be sufficient to handle the anticipated foot traffic.
“That comes with a PILOT,” Diemand said, a payment in lieu of taxes. “That’s the deal.”
The Planning Board voted 4-0 to issue a preliminary approval for the project. The vote does not authorize any construction, but facilitates further planning.