East Lyme planning commission approves two resubdivisions, schedules July public hearing for Holmes Road project

The East Lyme Planning Commission unanimously approved two residential resubdivisions at its June 9 meeting and set a public hearing for a larger Holmes Road subdivision.

The commission approved the Gano Resubdivision at 29 Upper Walnut Hill Road and a two‑lot resubdivision at 46 Brainard Road by 6‑0 votes. The approvals included specific conditions and waiver grants, and required administrative items be completed before any site work.

The Gano resubdivision approval was tied to a required septic relocation. A committee member reading the conditions said the plan “shall be modified and the existing septic system shall be relocated to the north of its current location approximately 15 feet to provide the necessary separation distance between the septic system and the property line to meet the current health code requirements.” The committee member also required an erosion and sediment control bond in the amount of $2,000 and the submission of deeds and easements before filing the subdivision on the land records. The commission considered, then separately voted to waive the open‑space requirement under the subdivision regulations; both the waiver and the final approval were recorded as 6‑0.

The commission likewise approved the two‑lot resubdivision for property at 46 Brainard Road (filed by John Paul Abarca; owner Neli Abarca). That approval bundled a stormwater waiver (section 6‑8), an open‑space waiver (section 7), and similar conditions including a $2,000 erosion and sediment control bond. The motion to approve and the subsequent vote were recorded as 6‑0.

On a separate item, staff and the applicant for a proposed subdivision on Holmes Road (filed as a 20‑lot subdivision for notice purposes by Duval Partners LLC) told the commission they currently plan to move forward with 10 lots but left the notice as filed to avoid legal complications. The commission scheduled a public hearing on that application for July 14, 2026, and staff advised interested parties to review the application materials at the planning office.

Commissioners and staff emphasized that no site work may commence until all applicable conditions are satisfied, including bonds, revised plans, required notes about upland review/inland wetlands permits, and engineering right‑of‑way permits. The meeting adjourned following the votes.

Next procedural steps: required revisions and documentation for the approved resubdivisions must be submitted to the planning director before the approvals can be recorded and before any site work begins. The Holmes Road matter will be considered at the public hearing on July 14, 2026.