Post by admin on Nov 17, 2012 6:25:52 GMT -5
GILFORD — Several Gilford residents oppose plans to increase the number of homes proposed for a new development in the village.
A housing project known as End Fields originally called for 16 homes, but the developer is now requesting four more homes be built. Gilford Road, Neilly Road and Shore Acres Drive border the development.
The new subdivision would be the first in the area to hook up to municipal lake-based following the closure of the Golf Haven water well earlier this year. The homes will still be on septic systems.
Residents told council they were concerned about the impact the development would have on wildlife in the area as well as the amount of traffic it would generate.
“This started out with 16 lots and a lot of thought was put into the effectiveness of that design. Now there is 20 and that compromises the area,” one resident told council.
Residents questioned why the developer isn’t required to stick with the original plan, which was proposed about 12 years old.
Planning manager Tim Cane told the residents developers can request changes to approved plans, but they risk falling under new rules if they do.
“They often want to change because of the market, but a lot of times they open themselves up to new policies that tend to be more environmentally focused,” Cane said. “So they have to weigh that.”
Resident Linda Chron said she is worried bringing more residents to the area will displace wildlife that are starting to make a “comeback”.
“We have turtles and king fishers, there’s even a family of bald eagles,” she said. “It’s just going to put so much human activity in the area. It’s a small tight area that can’t sustain much more than the 16 houses.”
Another resident wondered about traffic and the number of new driveways that will front in Gilford Road, Neilly and Shore Acres.
“This village is small and we love it that way. I understand progress, but I’m concerned about how we maintain a sense of normalcy as far as getting in and out of our little village,” Laurie Birk said.
Another resident predicted ice fishers who flock to Cook’s Bay every winter would block the new driveways with their parked vehicles.
“They should do a traffic study in the winter. You can’t park for miles along the road now with the ice fishing.”
Council must still decide if the additional four homes will be allowed in the project.
A housing project known as End Fields originally called for 16 homes, but the developer is now requesting four more homes be built. Gilford Road, Neilly Road and Shore Acres Drive border the development.
The new subdivision would be the first in the area to hook up to municipal lake-based following the closure of the Golf Haven water well earlier this year. The homes will still be on septic systems.
Residents told council they were concerned about the impact the development would have on wildlife in the area as well as the amount of traffic it would generate.
“This started out with 16 lots and a lot of thought was put into the effectiveness of that design. Now there is 20 and that compromises the area,” one resident told council.
Residents questioned why the developer isn’t required to stick with the original plan, which was proposed about 12 years old.
Planning manager Tim Cane told the residents developers can request changes to approved plans, but they risk falling under new rules if they do.
“They often want to change because of the market, but a lot of times they open themselves up to new policies that tend to be more environmentally focused,” Cane said. “So they have to weigh that.”
Resident Linda Chron said she is worried bringing more residents to the area will displace wildlife that are starting to make a “comeback”.
“We have turtles and king fishers, there’s even a family of bald eagles,” she said. “It’s just going to put so much human activity in the area. It’s a small tight area that can’t sustain much more than the 16 houses.”
Another resident wondered about traffic and the number of new driveways that will front in Gilford Road, Neilly and Shore Acres.
“This village is small and we love it that way. I understand progress, but I’m concerned about how we maintain a sense of normalcy as far as getting in and out of our little village,” Laurie Birk said.
Another resident predicted ice fishers who flock to Cook’s Bay every winter would block the new driveways with their parked vehicles.
“They should do a traffic study in the winter. You can’t park for miles along the road now with the ice fishing.”
Council must still decide if the additional four homes will be allowed in the project.