SOUTH DEERFIELD — Opposition to Mark Wightman’s proposed 70-unit age 55 subdivision continues, even though it’s closer than ever to approval.
On the heels of Monday night’s contentious Planning Board meeting, where the project’s three waiver requests were approved and its public hearing was closed, abutters to the project put their concerns on record at Wednesday night’s Selectboard meeting.
The project calls for 35 buildings to be housed on 22.8 residentially zoned acres. Opposition to the project centers around traffic and water concerns. Support comes from those who want an increased tax base. Waivers were requested for roadway and drainage spacing, and property marker materials.
Sugarloaf Street resident David White, who founded the opposition group “Save Our Sugarloaf” told selectmen that his presentation before the board was designed to enlighten “the town to the potential liability it could incur by fast tracking this project and not addressing the potential problems caused by storm water runoff and traffic.”
While acknowledging that public input has been closed, White asked town officials to request that contingencies be bound to the project to protect neighbors, such as limiting “the amount of time it takes for the infrastructure to be put into place.” Citing a petition opposing the project signed by 215 residents, he also asked if additional traffic and water run-off studies could be conducted.
Beside White, Thayer Street resident Kathy Watroba and another resident, Woody Pistrich, were among others who voiced concern about the project.
Selectboard member Henry “Kip” Komosa, who’s also on the Planning Board, clarified that Wightman’s proposed project is still being looked at and wasn’t approved during Monday’s meeting. Because the public hearing was closed Monday, he said the board can’t accept any more information or letters from abutters.
Selectboard chair Carolyn Shores Ness said she would pass White’s concerns on to the town’s lawyer, noting the Selectboard has no control over the project.
The next Planning Board meeting is April 18. At that meeting, the board is expected to hammer out legal details of the condo project such as a proposed 55 and older deed restriction. Pending those details is the Planning Board’s final decision.
You can reach Andy Castillo at: acastillo@recorder.com or 413-772-0261, ext. 263. On Twitter: @AndyCCastillo.