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West Hill residents ask council to delay Elm Street PUD, cite traffic and environmental risks
Summary
West Hill residents asked the Common Council to table a revised planned-unit development (PUD) for The Woodland on Lower Elm Street scheduled for Aug. 19, saying the public would have only five days to review materials and warning of pedestrian hazards, loss of tree canopy and stormwater impacts.
Residents from West Hill urged the council to delay consideration of a revised PUD for The Woodland on Lower Elm Street and to provide longer public review opportunities.
"We request two things from common council: 1, table the PUD proposal at the August 19 meeting because the public will only have had five days to review and respond to it," said Reggie Teasley, who said the revised proposal will be released to the public on Aug. 14. Teasley asked council to provide West Hill residents an opportunity for a "special presentation" under council rules so neighbors could present concerns equal in time to the developers.
Speakers warned the project could create hazardous traffic conditions for pedestrians and schoolchildren where the development’s outlet is to be located, and raised tree-loss and stormwater runoff concerns, arguing the development would diminish carbon capture and habitat. Several councilmembers—including Miss Fabrizio—said they supported tabling the vote to allow public input and additional review. Councilmember Trumbull encouraged developers to share proposals earlier by email or online so residents can meaningfully comment ahead of votes.
The acting city manager and council noted that any council-level vote would still be followed by site-plan and environmental review processes at the planning board, and that the Aug. 19 action may be conceptual approval rather than final site approval.
