Condo Project on Franklin Mountain
Are you aware that contractor Robert Van Dyke of Rindge, has purchased a parcel of land on Franklin Mountain and has submitted a plan to build 32 condominiums and a community center on it to the Winchester Planning Board? If he is successful in getting approval, this will open the door to more and more development of our forests and wetlands. Mr. Van Dyke already has a project ongoing in Winchester on Route 119E on the Winchester/Richmond town line in which he has clear cut the forests and left the land open to the elements and erosion and it’s an eyesore to everyone.
There is no need for this planned development in Winchester. There is no housing shortage here; in fact many of our neighbors are in trouble and are trying to sell their homes before they lose them. Why do we need to destroy more of our natural resources ?
Mr. Van Dyke’s property is situated on Route 10, adjacent to and directly behind Shamrock Realty. His planned development will not only affect those homeowners that directly abut his property; but adversely affect us all .
His plans call for drainage into existing streams and wetlands, wells that will pump thousands of gallons of water to this community, which could leave those living nearby waterless and a very dangerous driveway entrance just on the rise above Westport Village Road. His plan is to build this community, sell the units and then pull out; leaving an association, run by the owners to maintain the wells, septic, roadways and storm drain cisterns on their own.
Please give us your support and help us stop this unnecessary project before it’s begun.
Please come and voice your concerns and help us protect our natural surroundings.
· More new taxes?
· Adverse effects on current residents in the area?
· The real possibility of wells going dry?
· Pollution of existing wetlands and streams?
· The natural beauty of another forest and habitat to hundreds of songbirds and other animals destroyed, purely for economic gain!
3 comments:
You really have to ask yourself why an experienced contractor would purchase this piece of land, knowing full well in advance that he will need to secure numerous variances from the town's zoning and land use boards in order to get his proposal approved; unless he has an inside track? This project in this area will have great impact on the surrounding neighborhoods and will cause many problems for people for years to come; not to mention the added expenses and strain on the town's infrastructure. Winchester does not need more homes, we need industry to offset our growing property tax bills.
There are two (2) water rights which are not disclosed on the site plans submitted by Van Dyke and his engineers. The first is held by Mr. Towne and is described in the deed recorded at Volume 360, Page 530 of the Cheshire County Registry of Deeds. Mr. Towne, by succession of deeds, owns part of the Erastus Field Farm .. according to the deed ,forever.
The second water right with right to lay pipe is recited at length in the deed of Frank B. Kingsbury and Myrtle Kinsbury to Alden Fredenburg and Eleanor Fredenburg recorded at Volume 553, Page 189 of the Cheshire County Registry of Deeds. There appear to be two (2) water rights referenced in that deed, both of which are on Franklin Mountain. The four (4) acre parcel described in the deed is essentially the same description as the deed into Mr. and Mrs. Cope Homan which is recorded at Volume 1878, Page 0164.
This information was presented to the board along with copies of the deed by attorney Silas Little who represents the abutters in this matter.
Under RSA 675:6
The subdivision regulations provide against any danger to health, safety or property by reason of lack of water supply, drainage, transportation, schools, fire protection or other public services.
This is important because the Van Dyke plans call for the destruction of the well on the property, to which Mr. Homan has deeded water rights, in order for him to construct his roadway and because the detention pond he plans to build in the northeast corner of the buffer zone, will carry run-off and contaminates from the project into the area of the spring Mr. Towne owns and possibly pollute the water that feeds a well on his property. Yet, the Planning Board; despite the regulations being clearly spelled out, have ignored this and stated "it is a civil matter between Van Dyke and them and not the town's responsibility to protect these abutters."
Am I missing something here?
Great, just what we need more housing and more kids to send to Keene. Where do these fools think all this money is coming from? Where's the work, where's the new business we keep hearing all these promises about? What happened to the steep slope and zoning density articles we voted on and passed to deter this very type of building here in Winchester. Why have zoning regulations if they are not going to be upheld?
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