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New Haven DRB approves Preston 55+ planned unit development at 965 South Street
Summary
The New Haven Development Review Board approved a Planned Unit Development for 17 age‑55+ dwelling units on 11 acres of a 50‑acre parcel at 965 South Street, subject to obtaining required state and federal permits, verification of emergency access with the local fire department, and limits on exterior lighting.
The Town of New Haven Development Review Board on July 20 approved Application #2026-DRB-07-SP/PUD, allowing the Preston applicants to develop 11 acres of a 50‑acre parcel at 965 South Street into a planned unit development with 17 dwelling units targeted for residents age 55 and older. The approval was conditioned on obtaining all required state and federal permits, confirmation of emergency access with the local fire department, and limits on outside lighting.
At a continuation of a May hearing, DRB member and on‑record presenter Don Johnston, described in the transcript as an engineer and surveyor with Verdantas, reviewed the site and layout plans. The board record lists 14 proposed home locations, with nine single‑family homes measuring about 25 by 38 feet (~950 square feet) and four two‑family buildings measuring about 25 by 80 feet (~2,000 square feet), for a total of 17 dwelling units. The plan leaves roughly 36.43 acres of the parcel undeveloped, sets a 50‑foot PUD outer building setback and 15‑foot internal lot setbacks, and proposes individual septic systems and private driveways for each unit. No street lighting is planned unless required; any outside lights on residences would be down‑shielded.
Don Johnston reported that a 1999 survey recorded in the Town Clerk's Office shows a 50‑foot right‑of‑way created from South Street to the proposed development (Parcel #347.21), with 35 feet of that right‑of‑way located on John Seguin’s parcel (Parcel #346) and 15 feet on Tony Jackson’s parcel (Parcel #349), a point the board noted as relevant to access and abutter impacts. Verdantas engineer Will Davis described a stormwater filtration system intended to capture and treat runoff and reduce peak flows; board member Tim Paquette commented that the filtration measures could lead to drier conditions on adjoining parcels, addressing an earlier concern raised by abutter Tony Jackson.
Kathy Barrett moved to approve the PUD site plan “as presented” with the stated contingencies; Victor LaBerge seconded. Tom Fyles suggested the board consult the town attorney to confirm the plan meets PUD qualifications; Don Johnston responded that the PUD criteria are included in Sections 334 and 622 of the New Haven Zoning and Subdivision Regulations. The motion passed with four in favor (K. Barrett, T. Paquette, V. LaBerge, C. Roy), zero opposed, one recused (D. Johnston), and one abstention (T. Fyles). The board noted that interested parties may appeal the DRB decision to the state Environmental Court within 30 days of the signed decision.
The board then moved to close the Preston application and approved prior meeting minutes for June 1, June 15 and July 6, 2026 before adjourning at 7:50 p.m.
