By Brandon T. Bisceglia
A controversial housing development off Turkey Hill Road went down to unanimous defeat for a second time on Jan. 21 at a special meeting of the Inland Wetlands and Water Courses Commission.
The development was proposed by a team representing town resident Richard Meisenheimer, who wanted to build 10 multifamily residential buildings and a single community building on a compilation of parcels on the 22.5-acre property that he owns. It has faced continuous scrutiny from neighbors, who have argued the proposal is too dense for the area.
A different proposal for the same property was the subject of strong opposition in 2018 and was ultimately denied by the Town Plan & Zoning Commission.
The most recent iteration didn’t even make it that far. Residents came out in force to oppose it during public hearings before the Inland Wetlands Commission. Those hearings have been held in the cafeteria at High Plains Community Center separately from the commission’s regular meetings to accommodate the large crowds that have been attending.
Even First Selectman Jim Zeoli, who has often spoken at town meetings in favor of development, has voiced opposition to this one, saying there are better locations in town for a high-density project of this nature that would be less detrimental to the environment.
In addition to the teams of lawyers and experts representing the developers and opponents, the commission brought in several of its own scientists to review the plans and the site. They expressed some concerns, but also pointed out that their criticisms should be surmountable for the developers.
At the commission’s Jan. 14 meeting, Chairman Rick Mangione presented two resolutions drafted by attorney Barbara Schellenberg – one approving the proposal, and the other denying it. Immediately members of the commission identified gaps in the plan that concerned them, which were worked into the final denial letter.
The final letter said that the commission was denying the application because it was incomplete, including “data gaps” and “credible” concerns raised by the experts brought in by the commission.
The letter then lists 12 specific items that led to their denial. They noted that more detailed plans were needed for the septic systems, a pair of retaining walls and the overall phases of construction. It also pointed out that the applicants had not sufficiently investigated impacts on the wetlands and wildlife. It cited the wood frog in particular, which is in decline in the state and was found to be inhabiting part of the site.
“Due to the incompleteness of the application, the Commission lacks adequate and/or sufficient information to determine the impact of the applicants’ proposed development on wetlands and watercourses,” the letter says.
Read the full Resolution of Denial as a pdf here.
A resolution of denial for a controversial development off Turkey Hill Road, reprinted here, was unanimously adopted by the Orange Inland Wetlands and Water Courses Commission at a Jan. 21 special meeting after months of public debate.