Commission continues contested Brookwood Lane subdivision hearing, schedules March 24 continuation

The New Canaan Inland Wetlands Commission continued a high-profile public hearing on a proposed nine‑lot subdivision at 82 Brookwood Lane and scheduled a special meeting for March 24 to allow staff, commission members and intervenors time to review recent filings and to request additional analyses.

The applicant, represented by attorney Amy Zabitakis of Ruchi Law Group and project engineer Leonard D’Andrea, presented updated plans for a common access driveway that repurposes portions of an existing driveway, narrowed in some wetland-adjacent stretches to limit further wetland disturbance. The application covers construction of the common infrastructure — driveway, stormwater controls, utilities and a proposed dry hydrant — but does not seek permits for individual house sites; those would come later as separate applications.

Bill Kenny, the applicant’s wetland scientist, explained the existing driveway was installed mid‑20th century and said the current proposal reduces previous impacts by restoring several filled areas elsewhere on the parcel. He described the existing roadway as acting “like a little dam,” collecting runoff into pipes that concentrate flow rather than allowing it to disperse. The applicant’s civil engineer said the redesigned common access would include infiltration/Coltec chamber units, multiple infiltration cells and a rain-garden feature designed to meet town drainage rules and reduce impervious area compared with existing conditions.

Town staff and the fire marshal participated: Maria Copplett, the town engineer, told the commission the submitted drainage analysis for the roadway reconstruction is consistent with town policy for accessway reconstruction but emphasized each future lot will require its own drainage review at the time of building permit. Fire Marshal Paul Paine reported he can work with the applicant on turning radii and water supply logistics but said he and the department “are not thrilled with the 14 feet,” referring to sections of narrowed roadway; he asked the applicant to consider pull‑outs or alternate design changes to ensure apparatus can pass.

Neighbors, represented by SC Miner, retained wetland scientist Patricia Sesto and resident interveners led by Rob Freeman to challenge the application’s scope and called for the commission to treat the roadway proposal as potentially causing significant impacts. Intervention testimony flagged concerns including: lack of pretreatment for runoff before the proposed Coltec chambers (which risks sediment/hydrocarbon transport to wetlands), potential loss of dozens of mature trees near wetland edges, uncertainty about how dewatering and groundwater interception will be handled during construction, and the absence of full lot-level development plans that would show cumulative impacts.

Rob Freeman, speaking for a group of nearby homeowners, asked the commission to require the developer to present a single, consolidated application that includes detailed site plans and feasible alternatives, saying that otherwise “the town should require SBP Homes to seek approval for the subdivision and each of their 9 detailed site plans as part of a single approval process.” The intervenor team recommended the applicant study fewer lots and other alternatives before infrastructure approval.

Commission members said they need additional time to digest late-arriving documents and expert comments and requested a further round of revisions and clarification from the applicant (stormwater pretreatment and pollutant-removal performance, tree‑save plans and a dewatering plan were specifically mentioned). Commissioner Burnelli announced a recusal for the item; the commission appointed Commissioner Adam Ramirez as a regular member for the hearing.

No final determination was made on whether the project will have a significant impact; commissioners indicated they are likely to consider that question at the March 24 continuation after reviewing additional materials and possibly consulting the town attorney. The commission confirmed a special meeting on Monday, March 24 to continue the public hearing and requested the applicant and intervenors provide updated materials in advance so staff and commissioners can review them.