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Bellefield update: fire chief rejects proposed roundabout; developers propose four-way alternative and accelerate pond work
Summary
Roosevelt Fire District engineers told developers the planned 85-ft roundabout at Bellefield's main entrance is too tight for ladder trucks; developers offered a four-way intersection alternative and said they will submit the alternate plan and push to construct a small Crescent Pond before seasonal environmental windows close.
Developers updated the board about the Bellefield Sterling planned-unit development on Feb. 4 and described a significant technical disagreement with the Roosevelt Fire District over the main-entry design.
The submitted entrance layout included an 85-foot-diameter roundabout. Dan Nichols of the Roosevelt Fire District (represented in the discussion) objected that the roundabout was too tight for his largest ladder truck; the turning-path analysis provided by the developers showed the truck would need to mount curbing and cross pavers to complete the turn. Because a 125-foot roundabout (the size measured on some state road examples) would intrude onto adjacent lots and wetlands, the applicant said that option is not feasible without easements or extensive grading.
As an alternative, the applicant proposed a conventional four-way intersection with stop controls and a driveway to the south parking area. The development team also said they would provide a hammerhead/turnaround and other circulation improvements where required. Board members asked for a quick traffic/queuing memo and recommended the applicant coordinate with the town traffic reviewer and engineering staff. Several board members said a four-way stop can work for similar local developments if lane geometry and queuing are addressed.
Separately, the team reported Crescent Pond engineering for a pond under 2 acres — sized so it does not trigger State dam-permit thresholds — and said they plan to pursue clearing and grading so pond work and hydroseeding can occur before spring seasonal restrictions (turtle and bat windows). The applicant requested an offline technical meeting with staff and consultants to resolve remaining engineering comments and to finalize a plan the fire district can accept.
Next steps: applicant to submit the four-way alternative to the fire district and town staff; applicant and staff to schedule an offline meeting on pond permitting and winter/spring construction windows. The board also asked staff to request a short traffic memo on level-of-service and queuing for the new entrance configuration.
