During the July 20 meeting of the Mattapoisett Planning Board, an informal discussion regarding the Brandt Point Village subdivision garnered another hour of questions, concerns, and debate.
The new owner, Joseph Fortado, along with his attorney, John McGreen, and engineer, Al Loomis, met with the Planning Board members to discuss decreasing the number of housing units planned for Phase 2.
The original plan set out 34 housing units for Phase 2. Fortado and his team asked if the board would approve a decrease in that number down to 24.
“Reducing the density in the neighborhood by ten lots would make a more saleable product,” said Fortado. “Drainage and infrastructure has not changed one bit. We are just reducing the number of lots.”
This brought out the issue of the total number of bedrooms the subdivision had been permitted to build per dwelling, this time by Gail Carlson who lives in a home constructed under Phase 1.
Carlson said there are presently 21 bedrooms total in the homes that comprise Phase 1. If the board allowed 24 three-bedroom homes in Phase 2, that would place the total number of bedrooms at 93. The enclosed septic system designed to service the entire development is permitted for a maximum of 90 bedrooms. That, Carlson pointed out, was worrisome.
Fortado said he would have to investigate the total bedroom count in Phase 1, and, if necessary, reduce the newly proposed 24 units for Phase 2 to an even lower number.
“If I have to lose another lot, I’ll lose another lot,” he conceded.
Loomis said, “The question at hand is, can we come to the board with a form A?” This type of petition would allow the board to grant an applicant the right to move deeded lot lines. Acting Chairman John Mathieu had no problem with such a request while board member Karen Field wasn’t so sure.
“Until this bedroom issue is resolved,” said Field, “I’m not sure.”
Next, the group discussed ongoing concerns associated with the Phase 1 entrance road.
Fortado wanted to use the Town’s engineering firm, Field Engineering, while Highway Surveyor Barry Denham thought that the applicant’s design firm, McKenzie Engineering, should own the responsibility for the quality of the road. In the end, it was collectively decided that core samples and technical aspects of the road would be handled by Loomis and McKenzie Engineering.
Fields asked, “And if the front portion fails?” Fortado replied, “That’s my problem.”
Carlson asked who is checking a number of items that were suppose to have been completed in Phase 1 by the previous developer such as sidewalks, lighting, maintenance of drainage system, and confirmation that the septic system is operating properly. Fortado said that if there were deficiencies, he had inherited those.
The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Planning Board is August 3 at 7:00 pm in the Mattapoisett Town Hall meeting room.
By Marilou Newell
