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New subdivision planned for
Eyler Farm property

(10/22) Leal Homes of Clarksburg introduced a concept plan to the Planning and Zoning Commission for a six-lot subdivision on Eyler Road. The 5.2-acre property was previously owned by Jospeh Galt Eyler and used as a horse farm. It is located between Eyler Road Park, a 31 acre park with athletic fields, playgrounds, and walking trails, and two subdivisions—Mechanicstown with 31 homes, and Mountain Brook with 11 homes.

The property is zoned Agricultural and Residential Preserve, which allows single family detached dwellings. Based on the density allowed, the builder can put in a maximum of seven lots; however, the proposal is for six lots in the cluster style. 'Clustering’ means the homes will be grouped together allowing for a shared open space. It provides flexibility in design without increasing the density while preserving land and reducing the overall extent of public infrastructure. The six planned lots are drafted to be around 10,000 square feet. The homes would be built in a craftsman style, and basements would not be allowed.

The open space areas would be under common ownership so the property owners would be responsible for all the maintenance. Planning & Zoning Commissioner Bryant Despeaux said he would like to see more forested spaces versus open land not only for reduced maintenance, but also stormwater management. Neighbors Ed Wigman and Thomas Cromwell both agreed that although they would miss seeing the horses, they would prefer looking out of their windows and seeing trees instead of homes. They also asked about the existing fence providing a property boundary and urged the developers to keep the fence as a border along with the trees.

There is the possibility for the H & F Trolley Trail to connect to Eyler Road Park through this property. It currently runs from East Moser Rd to East Main Street. Town Planner Kelly Duty remarked, "This would be a piece of the puzzle in the Town’s overall trail system and in connecting the Town's public park system." In the future, Pleasant Acres Park to the East could also potentially connect to the Trolley Trail and in theory with the addition of this six-home subdivision a trail could run from Eyler Road Park to the Library in town. Neighbor Janelle Norton asked if the trail connection could be the only connection between the developments, "If you connect these developments by road, there will be a huge increase in traffic. Eyler Road Park is already busy and that will only get busier," she said.

With the intended connection to the other developments, increased pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicle traffic is expected. The commission discussed various ways to combat vehicles speeding, but nothing concrete was decided. The applicant would also be willing to negotiate with the two neighbors on either side of the development for extension of their sidewalks. Currently the sidewalk ends at Old Barn Court, and they would like them extended down to Radial Lane along with crosswalks at the park. This would help keep pedestrians safe on their way to Eyler Road Park.

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