Site Walk Minutes
Sunday, September 19, 2021
36 Whortleberry Road
Present: Regina O’Brien, Secretary; Commissioner Dan Barrett; Commissioner Anda Cumings, Alternate Phyllis Rhodes.
Also Present: Aimee Pardee, Land Use Director; Yishaya Marks, Property Owner
Aimee Pardee commenced the site walk at 9:00 a.m.
Ms. Pardee explained that the purpose of the site walk was to observe the proposed revised driveway entries to Lots 2 and 3, and to observe all existing site conditions and potential disturbance to the properties as indicated on the Site Development Plan prepared by McChord Engineering Associates, Inc.
The Commissioners first looked at the proposed entry to Lot 2 and took note of the site lines to the east and west. They observed that the construction of the driveway would require significant disturbance to the existing site in terms of grading and tree removal.
They then reviewed the entry to Lot 3 and observed the site lines to the northeast and west.
Ms. Pardee raised the question of whether Lot 2 could be accessed from a shared driveway with Lot 3 for its first portion and diverge at a place where the grading is more level, rather than as currently shown on the Site Development Plan. The Commissioners took note of this possibility as they walked the site and observed that the terrain appears to allow for the development of the driveway to Lot 2 with significantly less disturbance if it is joined with that of Lot 3 at its beginning.
Because Whortleberry Road is a designated Scenic Road, the members took note at both driveway entries of any significant natural or historical features within the Town right-of-way that might be compromised due to construction and did not observe any.
The Commissioners then walked to the proposed house location for Lot 3. They observed that the house and driveway are sited on portions of a rock outcrop that is exposed at this area of the site. The Commissioners then walked to the proposed house location for Lot 2. The proposed house location at this property is sited at the high point of the property and falls largely on exposed rock.
As the Commissioners walked along the proposed Lot 2 driveway, the steep topography was noted.
The site walk was concluded at 10:15 a.m.
Submitted by:
Regina O’Brien