41°
Jeff Becker of Easton went to the podium Tuesday night with a laptop that held notes from the three-hour presentation by representatives from Saddle Ridge Developers LLC.
Becker and members of the Conservation Commission voiced concern about the responsibility of the nine proposed condominium associations that would maintain different aspects of the development, including the septic system.
"The project, in this regard, is totally unmanageable," said Becker, who referenced a hypothetical scenario in which two homeowners on the association board are lost, leaving no leadership. And if an owner filed bankruptcy, that would affect the other eight associations as well, he said.
Matthew Ranelli, Saddle Ridge attorney, said the condo associations would provide "equal if not better protection" than those that would be in place under permit for 21 units previously approved by the commission.
"We have not been shown a maintenance plan with the condo ownership ... versus the 21 units with tremendous [ownership] of the property," said Steve Edwards, a member of the commission. He said the proposal for 21 units was for single-family homes. The current proposal is for 99 townhouses clustered into 31 buildings, scaled down from an application for 105 units that was denied in February by the Planning and Zoning Commission.
After receiving an inch-thick packet from the developers, the Conservation Commission decided to continue the public hearing to June 13. The commission, developers and interveners agreed to submit any new information by May 31. The developers will submit any responses by June 9 to allow time for reading before the next hearing.
What are your thoughts on the Saddle Ridge Development? Leave your comments below.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Westport and receive free news updates.
