Cornwall council hopes it has struck a balance between residents’ concerns and a developer’s plans regarding the next steps in a developing subdivision.
Phase 3 of the Harvest Hills development has now been split into two separate pieces, phase 3A and phase 3B, to allow work to continue on the Mercedes Drive subdivision.
Council voted unanimously during Wednesday’s meeting to approve phase 3A, which consists of a mix of semi-detached and multiple family dwellings being constructed on 13 lots.
However, planning board chairman Peter Meggs said the town still needs more information regarding phase 3B, which proposes two 24-unit apartment buildings.
“(Planning board) had a lengthy discussion regarding the buffering and transition between the proposed apartment buildings and existing dwellings (on Lowther Drive), and there was a feeling that the issues hadn’t been adequately addressed,” said Meggs. “We felt we just couldn’t move forward as proposed.”
The properties involved are all zoned as planned unit residential development (PURD), which requires all development concepts to be presented in a public meeting.
Apartment buildings are also not an as of right use in a PURD zone and require special permit use from council.
The entire phase 3 was presented at a public meeting in March.
Meggs said residents shared concerns over issues such as the buffering, parking lot and other items.
“So, we want very specific information from our developers, like specific maps and how these issues were going to be dealt with,” said Meggs. “We’re looking for them to adhere to those higher standards that we require in a PURD zone.”
Meggs said developers had responded by submitting the amended proposal.
He said planning board felt it should be accepted.
“By dividing it in two parts, we can approve the smaller residences ... so they can proceed with that,” said Meggs, noting the developer will still have to enter a subdivision agreement and development agreement with the town.
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