Residents ask Lewisboro to inspect former Reynolds property, consider temporary moratorium

Residents near the former Reynolds property on Route 35 pressed the Town of Lewisboro board on June 22 to investigate recent clearing and excavation and to preserve those conditions in any future land-use review.

"Please have the appropriate town officials inspect and document the current condition of the property," Ed Tieberger of Cross River told the board, asking the town to determine whether tree removal, excavation, perk testing or other site disturbance took place without required permits and, if so, whether enforcement or remediation is available.

Neighbor Beth Rifkin said her well sits about 10 feet from the Reynolds property line and expressed concern that increased development, new roads and infrastructure could jeopardize her well supply or contaminate groundwater. "If they're going to put many houses there ... that really has to be looked at closely because I don't want my well to dry up," she said.

Penny Zokai and Maureen Cole, both longtime Cross River residents and friends of the Reynolds family, urged more transparent notice to nearby property owners when clearing or survey work occurs and highlighted the site's local history; Cole noted prior discussion of a conservation easement and suggested that leaving some of the land as open space could benefit the town.

Board members acknowledged the concerns and the absence of a filed subdivision application to date; multiple commenters said that visible tree removal and excavation appear to have already occurred and should be preserved in the record should a future planning-board review occur. Several residents asked whether the board would consider a moratorium or other temporary protection for building in the half-acre zone while zoning issues are reviewed.

The board did not adopt a moratorium at the meeting; the public record from June 22 will be available to inform any planning-board filings and future review, and residents asked that town officials examine permitting histories and enforcement options if work exceeded what is allowed without prior town approval.

Next steps: residents requested that town officials inspect the site, document current conditions, and clarify whether enforcement or mitigation is available if prior disturbance required approval.