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Questions are raised about proposed lot development

The $400,000 colonial-like homes would be constructed between Piper Road and Brush Hill Road.


By Erin O'Connor

Staff Writer



WEST SPRINGFIELD - Members of the Planning Board met during a special meeting on Feb. 13 to address a request from West Meadow Homes, Inc. for the zoning permits to construct 16 lots of land located on the east side of Piper Road and north of Brush Hill Road. The meeting ended with a continuance.

Property owner Zed Griffin said upon construction completion the 16 lots would resemble colonial homes asking for a minimum price of $400,000 and would range in size from 1,800 sq. ft. to 3,000 sq. ft. with some lots exceeding the 3,000 sq. ft.

Griffin said the lots would be similar to six lots already constructed in that location and properties previously constructed on Cynthia Drive.

Questions surfaced during the meeting regarding the existence of a fence surrounding the proposed detention pond on the property. The pond would serve as a permanent storm water management structure with its primary purpose to temporarily store storm water runoff and release the stored runoff at controlled rates.

"If the fencing is required by the town then we will put it in," Ryan Hillard, representing West Meadows Homes said to the Planning Board. "Some towns require it and some towns don't," he added.

"Who ever buys the lot with the pond will be ultimately responsible for it," Griffin said.

"How big will the pond be? How deep will it be? and what lot will it be on?" Gary Liquori, a lawyer representing property abutters asked. Liquori was told the pond would be close to five feet deep, 220 feet long by 50 feet wide and would be located on lot 12.

Liquori asked developers if they "anticipated a safety issue and if there was any other way to develop the property without the pond."

'It only takes two feet of water for a little kid to drown," Liquori said.

The response on alternative water drainage was a unanimous "yes" from the developers, but they said were steered toward the pond because the alternative, leeching fields, would require the city's maintenance.

"If we did leaching pits then the city would have to take care of them," Griffin said. "With leeching basins if the town doesn't maintain them they are on property lines and multiple people would be responsible for them."

Other concerns the Planning Board had with the property development included wetlands which will be addressed in a meeting with the Conservation Commission soon; traffic questions and the Board of Health's concerns with the level of standing water.

Developers of the property said traffic numbers were not a concern and that water pressure would be adequate. The Department of Public Works is also currently reviewing information on the proposed development.

The Planning Board meeting on the 16 lots will be continued until March 21 at 7 p.m.