Easton hearing continued on 26‑lot Saddle Ridge subdivision after environmental and groundwater concerns

EG Homes' application for a 26‑lot subdivision called Saddle Ridge drew detailed scrutiny at the Easton Conservation Commission's continued public hearing on March 9, where applicants presented revised plans and responses to peer reviewers and intervenors raised concerns about wetlands, groundwater and blasting.

Wilson Carroll, attorney for EG Homes, said the applicant met in the intervening weeks with First Selectman Dan Lent and Public Works Director Ed Nagy and that the revised submission clarifies that the proposed road will be private and identifies who would be responsible for maintenance of roadways and stormwater basins. Carroll also placed into the record a letter from Attorney Matt Ranelli of Shipman & Goodwin in support of the application.

Darin Overton of SLR, the applicant’s engineering team, presented revised plans and responses to a peer review by Tighe & Bond and said the applicants were seeking to “upgrade mitigation” for identified resources. Overton read a blasting company letter into the record and said, “We anticipate there will be approximately two weeks of blasting with 4,000 cubic yards of blasting soil,” and noted likely blasting near four lots shown below the wetland line.

Tighe & Bond reviewers Andrew White and Matt Regan told the commission they believe many issues raised in their report will be addressed but said they had not yet reviewed the materials submitted that night. White specifically requested the underlying data and rationale used for identifying potential vernal pools so Tighe & Bond can confirm the delineations.

Representing intervenors Citizens for Easton, wetland scientist George Logan of REMA said Saddle Ridge occupies two headwaters of wetlands and described the ecological functions of those headwaters. Logan said wood frogs and spotted salamanders are found on the site and flagged that a table cited in the SLR report could not be located for his review.

Sophie Slater, a Citizens for Easton board member, told the commission intervenors are concerned about impacts to private wells from blasting and the concentration of development; she submitted maps into the record showing arsenic, uranium and radon levels in the area. Commissioners, including Washington Cabezas Jr., pressed applicants on lot feasibility in constrained areas, the proximity of potential vernal pools to building lots and how future homeowners would know pool locations, and whether each house would have its own well.

Public comment included statements read by Elizabeth Boyce, president of the Easton Historical Society, and David Brandt, chief executive of the Aspetuck Land Trust, followed by four additional members of the public who spoke in opposition to the proposal, citing environmental and groundwater concerns.

Chair Dori Wollen told applicants the commission had not been shown an alternate plan prior to the evening’s presentation. At 9:50 p.m., Wollen announced the hearing would be continued; counsel for the applicant agreed to extend the public hearing to March 30, 2026. Tighe & Bond will review the newly submitted materials and the commission requested that any plan amendments be clearly shown on the site plans before the next hearing date.

The commission record notes the continued hearing is scheduled for March 25 or March 30, 2026, pending confirmation from the applicant. No permit decision was issued at the March 9 session.