Springs homeowners reduce scope of pool project; ZBA leaves record open for revegetation and bamboo plan

Lee Cohen and Erica Fleischman sought multiple variances and an NRSP for a project at 23 Glen Way in Springs that was revised during the hearing to remove a sauna and grill and reduce clearing and variances. The amended scope includes a 273‑square‑foot pool, pool deck and a 450‑square‑foot accessory structure described by the applicants as a small home gym. The applicants said the accessory building would not include plumbing.

Todd Borsack of the Planning Department and other planners described the property as constrained by freshwater wetlands and noted the project’s changes reduced variances and moved many improvements farther from the wetland. The planning review recommended revegetation, a scenic easement along the southerly wetlands, and an IA sanitary upgrade to mitigate wetland impacts.

The applicants described family reasons for the build: Erica Fleischman said the pool would help their 10‑year‑old son train for competitive water polo. Neighbors raised concerns about the proximity of work to a vernal pool, the current placement of a dumpster near wetlands and the risk to wildlife from a proposed casement basement window; neighbor Kristen Bibolar asked for protection measures and requested that bamboo on the property be addressed. The applicant agreed to consider a root‑barrier approach and to submit a written bamboo-management proposal.

The board voted to leave the record open for one week to allow the applicants to provide a detailed revegetation plan, a methodology for bamboo/root barrier work and a response to neighbor letters. The board also discussed requiring the revegetation plan as a condition of approval before a permit is issued.