The Town of Cheshire Planning and Zoning Commission continued its public hearing on a proposed 25‑lot resubdivision known as Farm Meadow Preserve at 450 and 466 Academy Road after a multihour presentation and several rounds of public comment.

Attorney Timothy Herbst, representing Birdsey Development LLC, described the proposal as a resubdivision to create 24 new single‑family lots in addition to the existing farmhouse, on approximately 42.3 acres. "This project seeks resubdivision approval to facilitate a 25 lot subdivision," Herbst said, and he reminded the commission of the narrow administrative standard that applies to subdivision approvals, citing Connecticut Supreme Court precedent.

Engineer Ryan McEvoy of SLR walked through the plans, describing a new 1,800‑foot loop road, five lots accessing Academy or Weese Roads and three stormwater basins designed to prevent increases in runoff for up to a 100‑year storm. He told the commission the drainage design includes water‑quality elements sized to capture the first flush from rooftop and driveway runoff and that test pits and septic designs satisfy public health requirements. "These ponds are designed to, that there's no increases in runoff for up to the hundred year storm," McEvoy said.

Residents raised multiple concerns during public comment. Several neighbors asked whether the project could be stopped and urged protection of open space; others said added stops for school buses and new driveways on Weese Road would worsen safety. "There have been two traffic accidents that have taken children's lives since I've been in Cheshire," said resident Valerie Joyce, who lives opposite the proposed site and asked the commission to consider traffic and sight‑distance impacts.

A member of the public said he had reviewed documents that reported organochlorine pesticides on the property and named DDT and dieldrin; he asked about groundwater contamination risks. Commission counsel and staff said groundwater contamination and remediation are matters for the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and related state agencies and noted the applicant had notified the South Central Regional Water Authority and the Department of Public Health as required, and that those entities had submitted comments incorporated into the plans.

Commissioners asked follow‑ups about sidewalks, grading and driveway lengths. Town engineering staff had recommended sidewalks on the north/east side of the new road and the applicant has requested a partial waiver to provide sidewalks on one side only; commissioners asked the town engineer (Merrick) to attend the next meeting to explain that recommendation.

The commission did not take a vote. Instead it continued the public hearing to the next regular meeting in two weeks and directed the applicant to provide a stopping sight‑distance table requested by the town engineer and to supply any additional materials the commission identifies.