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Freeport holds concept review for 12‑lot Brookdale subdivision; neighbors press water and buffering concerns
Summary
At first concept review, the board heard a presentation for a 12‑lot Brookdale open‑space subdivision off Ward Town Road; the applicant proposes a private road and 19.56 acres of open space, and residents raised concerns about dug‑well reliability and requested buffering; staff said water adequacy must be demonstrated at preliminary review.
The Freeport Project Review Board held a concept review for a proposed 12‑lot Brookdale open‑space subdivision at 1 Ward Town Road and heard detailed site, environmental and permitting information plus public concerns about local wells and buffering.
Staff summarized that the roughly 34.6‑acre parcel lies in the rural residential 1 district and that the proposed layout meets base density and open‑space requirements. Kyle noted primary natural resources and a significant vernal pool are in the southern portion of the parcel, which the applicant proposes to set aside in open space; the fire chief requested a direct conversation about water access and cistern/sprinkler strategies.
Applicant Matt Pelletier (Teradyne Consultants, representing Big Duck Cove LLC) said wetlands delineation identified about 2.17 acres of wetlands, that the plan shows approximately 2.79 acres of impervious surface and 8.5 acres of developed area, and that open space provided (19.56 acres) exceeds the required 17.96 acres. Pelletier listed anticipated permits: a regular DEP stormwater permit, a NERPA Tier 1 permit for wetland impacts, and Army Corps review for unavoidable impacts, and said two natural‑resource impacts are expected — a stream crossing and about 8,900 square feet of isolated wetland impacts near a cul‑de‑sac.
Board members questioned culvert versus bridge solutions for the stream crossing and asked how the applicant would demonstrate adequate domestic water supply for each lot; Pelletier said specific designs and well tests will be completed before preliminary review and the applicant aims to return in September or October. Several neighbors said they rely on dug wells and asked how the subdivision might affect groundwater; a resident, Bonnie Thurber (11 Ward Town Road), asked whether past dry wells were considered and whether buffering would be provided. The applicant and John Levy (applicant) said the plan shows a 25‑foot buffer around lots, that lots will not be clear‑cut, and that a road maintenance agreement will be referenced into HOA documents.
The board and staff emphasized this was a concept review and that water adequacy, detailed stormwater design, and natural‑resource permitting will be evaluated at preliminary submission. The board scheduled a sidewalk site walk and told neighbors the application will return for at least two more meetings.
