Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Suffield commission denies Peak Mountain plan for seven homes after wetlands, septic and access concerns
Summary
The Suffield Conservation Commission closed the public hearing on a proposed seven-home subdivision on South Grand Street but voted 0-5 against approving the revised plans, citing unresolved wetland assessment access, groundwater and vernal pool concerns; the denial was entered without prejudice.
The Suffield Conservation Commission closed a continued public hearing on Permit #1741 on May 12 and declined to approve plans by Peak Mountain Development LLC for seven single-family homes on 39.1 acres on South Grand Street.
Kirk McNaughton of Peak Mountain Development LLC filed revised plans the morning of the meeting and told commissioners they should "base [their] decision on facts rather than perceptions," saying the revisions moved a septic system outside the 150-foot setback and included updated PERC and soil testing. Consultant Keith Morris summarized the application and noted the new materials were submitted at Town Hall earlier that day.
The commission’s deliberations focused on wetland compliance, site access for on-the-ground verification and potential impacts to a nearby vernal pool. George Logan, a soil scientist retained by the commission, reported he was unable to complete a wetland boundary assessment because he had been asked to leave the property by neighboring landowner Mr. Evans, which limited the commission’s ability to independently verify boundaries on site.
McNaughton presented revised septic plans and said he had obtained approval from the North Central Health District for a system relocated outside the 150-foot setback; he reported updated percolation testing with drainage rates of roughly 10 to 20 minutes per inch. Commissioners nevertheless expressed continued concern about monitoring high groundwater, documenting trees larger than six inches in diameter, and the project’s potential to affect wetlands and hydrology.
After the public hearing was closed at 8:14 p.m., Commissioner Norm John Noble moved and Vice-Chairman Glenn Neilson seconded a motion to approve the permit. The motion failed with a recorded vote of 0 in favor and 5 opposed. Chairman Art Christian said the denial was entered without prejudice, allowing the applicant to return with revised plans at a future meeting.
Next steps: the applicant may revise the submission and return for further review; the commission identified on-site access for the commission’s retained experts and additional hydrologic/vegetation documentation as outstanding items.
