Homes don’t blend in with village community
By: David Koch
MANSFIELD Members of the Planning Board told Orleans Homebuilders Inc. of Hainesport to go back to the drawing board after hearing the builder’s presentation on its proposed 56-house development in the historic village of Columbus.
The board said the modern homes proposed by Orleans didn’t blend in with the village’s community atmosphere and turn-of-the-century architecture. The board suggested the builder work with township professionals to develop a plan that enhances the village, instead of isolating it.
At their Dec. 17 meeting, Planning Board members approved the creation of an escrow account that the builder will use to pay township planners for their assistance with the proposed development.
Orleans’ presentation was for 56 houses to be clustered on a 170-acre parcel of land zoned for residential use between New York Avenue and Mount Pleasant Road.
Under the township’s cluster ordinance, a developer is allowed to place one house per acre, instead of the usual one house for every 3 acres. The remaining acreage would be preserved as open space.
"The board did not like the presentation because it would in effect create a bypass for the village of Columbus," said Planning Board President Joseph Lawrence. "It would isolate the village of Columbus and it would be newer architecture."
Planning Board members said they wanted the proposed development to reflect the turn-of-the-century architecture of Columbus and add to the village’s community atmosphere.
"Hopefully, we want to develop to enhance the town of Columbus," said Planning Board Member Dorothy Wirth.
She said the Planning Board’s vision for that area is a place where people visited neighbors and walked to local stores.
Ms. Wirth said she suggested at the meeting that the proposal should include some commercial businesses in the development.
Other suggestions included connecting roads with Columbus to allow for better pedestrian traffic.
"They (Orleans) said they would take them under consideration and put some escrow money in place and talk with our professionals," said Ms. Wirth.
Mr. Lawrence said the developer would first have to go to the state for approval of a septic system in the development. Under a new state law, any development that requires more than six septic systems needs state approval.
The township’s Waste Water Management Plan places sewers in Columbus, but the plan has yet to be approved by the state Department of Environmental Protection.
Representatives from Orleans were unable to be reached for comment before press time.