Planning commission approves 25‑lot Farm Meadow Preserve subdivision, requires sidewalk on interior curve and Weese Road

The Planning & Zoning Commission approved a 25‑lot resubdivision for Farm Meadow Preserve (466 Academy Road) on Feb. 9, granting a waiver to the usual two‑side sidewalk requirement and conditioning approval on specific plan details and legal filings.

Applicant representative Ryan McAvoy, a licensed professional engineer with SLR, told the commission the project addressed prior staff comments and that the only remaining issue was a sidewalk‑waiver request. McAvoy said the applicant would be willing to install a sidewalk on the inside of the road curve and extend a sidewalk along the frontage of Weese Road to create connectivity off‑site in lieu of sidewalks on both sides within the subdivision.

Town engineering director Merrick Kmet had recommended a one‑side sidewalk where subdivision connectivity is isolated, citing maintenance, ADA and stormwater considerations in a memo. Residents raised safety and connectivity concerns; Dr. Alana Sadich noted use of Weese Road by children accessing McNamara Park and school bus stops.

After discussion, the commission approved the resubdivision subject to conditions: incorporation of inland‑wetlands conditions; final plans showing a sidewalk along the interior curve of the proposed roadway and a sidewalk on the project’s frontage of Weese Road (the waiver to require sidewalks on both sides was denied); and recorded HOA legal documents reviewed by town counsel prior to any certificate of occupancy.

Town staff said the applicant still must comply with any future site‑plan details (septic, utilities) and that the commission retained authority to ensure final engineering and conservation conditions were met.