ConsCom Denies Site Work for Controversial Subdivision

The Conservation Commission’s denial to perform work on water and sewer lines off River Street is the most recent development in what is a longstanding and convoluted issue involving two separate developments on the same piece of land.

Local builders, under the names Wynwood Associates and Fieldstone Meadows Development, began the permitting process for several single family homes on River Street over a decade ago under the name Victoria Place. While the conservation commission granted a permit for the development, the Planning Board denied that development.

Being fairly open about it, project proponents are now using the Conservation Commission permit from Victoria Place to perform site work for a new project slated for the same 10-acre plot of land at 93-97 River Street called Taylor Cove. Taylor Cove is a 40-B development consisting of 32 condo units.

Using a permit intended for Victoria Place, Conservation director Robert Douglas said that the developers were attempting to line up sewer and water connections to align with the Taylor Cove plan.

Last week the Conservation Commission essentially prohibited the developer from performing the sewer and water line work on the site.

“They voted and concluded that it was, in fact, a significant change,” said Douglas.

Developers are currently working with the commission to approve a new permit designed for Taylor Cove and will be able to perform the site work after they receive that permit. An independent consultant is now performing a wetlands study on the area to see how designs for Taylor Cove must change to offset any potential environmental detriments. 

Wynwood Associates president Todd Wacome did not return a phone call for comment.

Abutter Concerns

Taylor Cove has drawn opposition from the neighborhood and opponents claim that the Taylor Cove subdivision will have negative environmental effects on the area and simply does not fit in with its surroundings.

“I, for a number of reasons, feel that this project is inappropriate,” said Hillcrest Road resident Frances Wheeler.

Wheeler said that there are places for 32 condo units in Andover but the neighborhood on River Street is not it. Using the apartment units in Ballardvale center as an example of an appropriate place, Wheeler said that the Taylor Cove project does not fit in with the character of that area on River Street.

“It is an urban design with a rustic rural setting,” said Wheeler.

Wheeler also said that there are many environmental concerns, considering the wetlands and riverfront surrounding the plot of land.