WPCNR PLANNING BOARD REPORT. November 21, 2007: The Planning Board pushed off all public comment on the controversial Orchard Street Bernard Place extension Tuesday evening until they had had time to review all materials submitted by the developer, Michael Neubauer. Neubauer wants the city to approve the developing of a paper street, Bernard Place, to give access to two lots he desires to build two homes. Opposition has surfaced over the possibility of the city selling a slice of choice forest adjacent the city water supply for further development, made possible by the new proposed street.
No Comment, Please. John Garment, Planning Board Chair would not allow public comment on the Bernard Place birthing process Tuesday evening, pending Planning Board review of new material submitted by the developer, which included a Full Environmental Review submitted just prior to last night's meeting. Citizens mocked the completeness of the review citing several one-word answers which they said flew in the face of the facts on water proximity, wildlife threats and water table.
John Garment refused to accept any comments from the public until the Planning Board had had time to review the Full Environmental Review submitted Tuesday by the developer. Garment also refused to allow Nancy Wallace, a representative from the Conservation Review Board to give a verbal report to the Planning panel on the Conservation Board decision Monday evening. (They recommended against the project.)
The Perceived Threat: City Sell-off of land for development out Orchard Street way if Bernard Place is approved. The city has refused comment on if it plans to sell the property
Al Gasman opposed turning the paper street Bernard Place into concrete allowing access to the two lots, on grounds it threatened the habitat of the box turtle (which Co-President of the Council of Neighborhood Associations Suzanne Evans felt was unfounded in a letter to the CNA last week) asked if the Planning Board would relinquish lead agency status to the Common Council, Garment declined to comment.
The Planning Board will take up the matter again on December 18.
A Look into the Orchard Street tract.
