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June 07. 2012 11:44PM
Windham board asks for more time on Cricket Ridge
WINDHAM — Cricket Ridge developers reluctantly agreed to continue their application hearing at the request of the planning board.
Chairman Margaret Crisler said the additional time was needed to properly notify residents of the project's waiver request. Board members also asked the applicant for financial justification that the waiver is needed.
Developer Bob Pliskin said he understood the board's need to dot the i's and cross the t's but felt the notification was taken care of during previous permitting stages and ZBA hearings. He eventually agreed to the continuance.
“Reluctantly, but in the spirit of cooperation, yes,” Pliskin said.
Cricket Ridge is a work force housing subdivision proposed off of Meetinghouse Road. The development includes 12 single-family homes, including three work force housing units.
Engineer Karl Dubay of the Dubay Group said proper notification and a financial analysis had been done during design review and the ZBA process. Because the town did not have a work force ordinance at the time, the project was designed to meet state law requirements, which included financial documentation to support the waiver, Dubay said.
“The review is very comprehensive and supports the pro forma, including the percentage,” Dubay said.
Town counsel Bernard Campbell was present at the meeting and gave his opinion on the notice.
“I'm of two minds,” Campbell said. While he was not convinced that this type of waiver request would legally require separate notice, Campbell said the board should provide notice if it customarily does so.
The board has not traditionally given notice for a waiver, Dubay said, but he agreed to give the board some additional time.
“We understand where you're coming from,” Dubay said. “We don't agree with it.”
The project has been controversial since it was introduced in 2010.
The Planning Board denied a public hearing when the project was first proposed citing lack of a variance. After a court appeal, the Zoning Board of Adjustment granted Cricket Ridge developers a variance in November, ending the need for a court case and allowing the application to go before the Planning Board.
The variance specifically referenced three work force housing units and nine market-rate units. The town has since passed a work force housing ordinance requiring 50 percent work force units, causing some board members to take a second look at the variance.
Julie Hanson may be reached at Jhanson@newstote.com.
Chairman Margaret Crisler said the additional time was needed to properly notify residents of the project's waiver request. Board members also asked the applicant for financial justification that the waiver is needed.
Developer Bob Pliskin said he understood the board's need to dot the i's and cross the t's but felt the notification was taken care of during previous permitting stages and ZBA hearings. He eventually agreed to the continuance.
“Reluctantly, but in the spirit of cooperation, yes,” Pliskin said.
Cricket Ridge is a work force housing subdivision proposed off of Meetinghouse Road. The development includes 12 single-family homes, including three work force housing units.
Engineer Karl Dubay of the Dubay Group said proper notification and a financial analysis had been done during design review and the ZBA process. Because the town did not have a work force ordinance at the time, the project was designed to meet state law requirements, which included financial documentation to support the waiver, Dubay said.
“The review is very comprehensive and supports the pro forma, including the percentage,” Dubay said.
Town counsel Bernard Campbell was present at the meeting and gave his opinion on the notice.
“I'm of two minds,” Campbell said. While he was not convinced that this type of waiver request would legally require separate notice, Campbell said the board should provide notice if it customarily does so.
The board has not traditionally given notice for a waiver, Dubay said, but he agreed to give the board some additional time.
“We understand where you're coming from,” Dubay said. “We don't agree with it.”
The project has been controversial since it was introduced in 2010.
The Planning Board denied a public hearing when the project was first proposed citing lack of a variance. After a court appeal, the Zoning Board of Adjustment granted Cricket Ridge developers a variance in November, ending the need for a court case and allowing the application to go before the Planning Board.
The variance specifically referenced three work force housing units and nine market-rate units. The town has since passed a work force housing ordinance requiring 50 percent work force units, causing some board members to take a second look at the variance.
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Julie Hanson may be reached at Jhanson@newstote.com.
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