Board urges tighter grading as disturbance nears the one-acre threshold in subdivision review

An applicant seeking subdivision approval with a wetlands-buffer permit was told by the board and planning staff to tighten grading and demarcate limits of disturbance because the current plans calculate about 0.97 acres of disturbance — close to the 1.0-acre threshold that triggers additional stormwater and DEC review.

The applicant described the project as a widening of an existing common driveway and said much of the disturbance is related to existing paved/driveway areas; he asked for conditional approval subject to the pending DEC permit and completion of legal documents so bonds and fees can be posted. The planning-board attorney has reportedly received the maintenance-agreement draft for review.

Planning staff said a small amount of regrading or tightening of grading profiles could reduce the calculated disturbance and recommended field demarcation of disturbance limits and construction fencing to prevent inadvertent overrun during construction. Staff also warned the board it should be cautious about exposing the town to penalties if work exceeds an acre.

Board members agreed to a site visit and asked the applicant to revise grading where feasible to provide a comfortable margin under the one-acre cutoff before final approvals and posting of bonds.