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New Haven DRB approves 17-unit 55+ Planned Unit Development at 965 South Street
Summary
The Development Review Board approved a 17-unit Planned Unit Development for residents 55+ at 965 South Street, contingent on required state and federal permits, verification of emergency access by the fire department, and limits on exterior lighting.
The New Haven Development Review Board voted July 20 to approve Application #2026-DRB-07-SP/PUD, permitting a 17-unit planned unit development on 11 acres of a 50-acre parcel at 965 South Street intended for residents age 55 and older.
Don Johnston reviewed the site plan with the board, saying the proposal locates 14 home footprints on the site, leaves about 36.43 acres undeveloped, and packages nine single-family homes (25' x 38', about 950 sq ft) and four two-family buildings (25' x 80', about 2,000 sq ft) for a total of 17 dwelling units. "The 17 dwelling units will be served by individual septic tanks," Johnston told the board, and each unit will have its own driveway. He also noted setbacks of a 50-foot outer PUD building setback and 15-foot internal lot setbacks.
Engineers addressed access, right-of-way, and drainage questions. Johnston said a 1999 survey recorded a 50-foot right-of-way off South Street with 35 feet located on John Groton’s parcel and 15 feet on Tony Jackson’s parcel. Verdantas engineer Will Davis explained the project’s stormwater filtration system, saying it is "designed to capture and treat stormwater runoff by passing it through a filtering medium to remove pollutants," and that, in response to a neighbor’s concern, it may reduce runoff onto adjoining parcels.
Kathy Barrett moved to approve the site plan subject to obtaining all applicable state and federal permits, contacting the local fire department to confirm adequate emergency access, and restricting outside lighting to individual homes; Victor LaBerge seconded. Tom Fyles asked the DRB to "consult with the town attorney regarding the proposed planned unit development to ensure it meets all qualifications" despite the board noting the PUD criteria appear in Section 622 of the town zoning regulations. The motion carried with four votes in favor, zero opposed, one recusal (Don Johnston) and one abstention (Tom Fyles).
The board’s approval is conditioned on successful permitting and emergency-access review. The minutes note that interested parties may appeal the DRB decision to the Vermont Environmental Court within 30 days of the signed decision.
