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Planning Board reduces temporary slope easement at Ridgewood Estates to 10 feet
Summary
Middleton Planning Board voted April 8 to shrink a temporary 20-foot slope easement to 10 feet for two undeveloped lots in the Ridgewood Estates subdivision, after the applicant and DPW said the change would allow finishing work and let a prospective homeowner build nearer the front line; neighbors raised privacy concerns about vegetation removal.
The Middleton Planning Board voted April 8 to reduce a temporary slope easement in the Ridgewood Estates subdivision from 20 feet to 10 feet, affecting two undeveloped lots on Assessor’s Map 14 (Lots 2011 and 2012). The motion, made by Member Jason Bernhard and seconded by Member Shad Brook, passed 5-0.
Attorney Shockett and Chris Sparages of Williams & Sparages told the board the developer is finishing the last two phases of Ridgewood Estates: roadways have been constructed, stormwater management systems and water lines are in place, and electrical connections are being finalized. They said East Meadow Lane currently ends in a temporary cul-de-sac and that the temporary easement was created to provide space for grading, planting street trees and creating a turnaround for emergency vehicles until the roadway connects to an adjacent development.
"The DPW cannot issue a building permit for a structure over an easement – it would need to be modified," Chairperson Anthony DeGregorio said, describing why the applicant requested a smaller easement to allow a potential homeowner to build closer to the front line. The plan referenced by the board is titled Modified Definitive Plan Phase 4 Ridgewood Estates dated March 9, 2026.
Dr. Justin Fox, a neighbor at 29 East Meadow Lane, questioned the placement of the temporary turnaround, asking, "Why is the temporary turnaround located where it is and not where the road is flat?" Chris Sparages responded that cul-de-sacs are normally placed at the end of the road.
Neighbor Edward Kantarosinski of 31 East Meadow Lane said a buffer that previously provided privacy had been removed without notice: "Had a nice buffer before – no worries about privacy – now everything has been cut down with no notice." Planning Director Anna Carmer and Chairperson DeGregorio told residents that the developer must build according to the originally approved plans on file with the Town Clerk and that the Building Inspector will not issue permits inconsistent with those plans.
An email from Paul Goodwin, the Department of Public Works Superintendent, indicated he had no objection to the requested reduction.
Board documents and the motion specify the reduction applies to the two lots shown on the Modified Definitive Plan Phase 4 Ridgewood Estates dated March 9, 2026. The board noted that when the binder (first paved) course is placed and the town accepts the completed portion of roadway, the temporary turnaround will be removed and the road connection will eliminate the need for the temporary easement.
The motion to reduce the temporary slope easement was recorded as: motion by Jason Bernhard, second by Shad Brook; vote 5-0 in favor. The board did not attach additional conditions to the easement reduction.
Next procedural step: the developer is to continue coordination with DPW on the cost of completion and surety and to proceed toward binder course installation, after which the town will evaluate roadway acceptance.
