Residents told to file petition after Planning Board deems Farmview Lane paving a major modification

Homeowners at Farmview Lane who recently paved portions of their private road were told Sept. 2 to file a formal petition after the Newbury Planning Board concluded the work appears to be a major modification to the subdivision approval.

Attorney Peter Jurney, representing the Farmview Lane homeowners, asked the board to treat the change from gravel to asphalt as a minor modification and said the homeowners’ consultant Verdantas reported no anticipated impact to the approved stormwater system. Jurney said the residents had engaged conservation and building officials and supplied materials to the town. "This change from a gravel roadway to asphalt is beneficial," he said.

Board members, staff and counsel responded that the original decision clearly stated the roadway was to remain gravel and that paving could materially alter stormwater behavior; Larry Murphy and others recommended that the homeowners submit a petition to modify the decision, which would trigger a new public hearing, abutter notifications and updated stormwater calculations. Homeowner statements to the board said portions were paved at different times — November 2025 and June 2026 — and that residents pursued town guidance before proceeding.

Resident Giovanna Aguilera described recurring dust and health concerns before paving: "I had to live with, AC the entire time up until the moment that we got, paved." The board advised the homeowners to assemble technical documentation and consultant reports and return with a petition; staff said the board meets the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays and will work with the residents on timing and noticing requirements.