After a multi-year hiatus, developers of the Highland Meadows subdivision have returned to the town board with a new proposal: cluster development.
Six years ago, developers proposed a standard layout for the 124-acre parcel located west of Indian Springs and south of Giddings Crest. After New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the Army Corps of Engineers reviewed the area, it was determined the proposed design would disrupt the wetlands in the area. As a result, the project was put on hold.
At the April 11 Lysander Town Board meeting, Mario Darrigo, one of the primaries for the new development group Highland Meadows Development LLC, requested a cluster development be allowed to develop the area.
Currently, the area is zoned R-20, which is one home on a 20,000-squarefoot lot (approximately one acre). Darrigo said through the cluster development, his group was proposing to reduce the size of the lots (12,500 to 13,500 square feet) without increasing the amount of homes allowed for the current zoning, which is about 124 single family homes. This would allow the developer to work around the wetlands, thus negating the main issue. Darrigo said other tentative proposals for the development include two entrances/exits through the surrounding developments and 65 acres of open land including 44 acres of green space.
A public hearing will be held at 7:01 p.m. Monday May 23 at the Lysander Town Hall, 8220 Loop Road in Radisson for the town to consider granting the Lysander Planning Board (LPB) authority to approve a cluster development. If approved, the LPB would be able to review proposed cluster development plans for Highland Meadows, at which point specifics such as public safety, traffic, drainage, roads and many other variables would be discussed.
