Minutes
Re: Application#402, Lot One
Site Walk Minutes – 9:00 AM, March 29, 2014 at #2 John Todd Way
Re: Proposed pool installation requiring modification of the Building and Construction Restriction Line (BRL).
Attending:
For the Planning Commission: Toby Welles, Regina O’Brien, Nancy King and Jerry Sarnelli.
Agent for the Applicant: Mr. Nick Nelson, Willow Brook Property.
We surveyed the proposed location for the new swimming pool, which was marked with stakes. Also marked were sections of the current Building and Construction Restriction Line. The location of the proposed pool pump and filtration unit was pointed out, but not staked.
The existing BCRL passes diagonally through a corner of the proposed pool location. Thus the southeasterly corner of the pool and narrow surrounding lawn strip would lie outside of the current BCRL. The BCRL location seems to have been established at its current location due to the presence of steep slopes at that corner of the proposed pool location.
Significant removal of current grade will be required to lower the level of the pool so that the house’s basement entry doors, currently well below grade, will become walk-out doors at the pool’s grade. However, the soil to be removed appears to be mostly fill from construction of the house, so no real change to the indigenous character of the land will be made.
The proposed location of the pool pump and filtration unit is sheltered from road view by a ledge outcropping. It was noted however, that installation of the plumbing between these units and the pool could damage the root systems of two asset trees between which the plumbing would pass. This is a suggested area for further discussion. Another less level area closer to the pool was discussed, but the likely presence of subsurface ledge that would be encountered after re-grading and the proximity to the wetlands seemed to make this area less favorable.
It was also noted that for some reason, the Redding Conservation Commission saw its way clear to approve this pool placement even though it protrudes well into the required 100’ setback from a wetland, when other placements for the pool are readily available. The applicant’s agent said that the reason for the proposed location is to preserve lawn space for the applicant’s children’s play activities.
Submitted 3/29/14 by Toby Welles, Secy., Redding Planning Commission