Neighbors of the proposed entrance to the Winnick Woods trail system want the driveway and small parking lot moved farther from their home, a change that would cost “several thousand dollars.”
The Winnick Woods Master Plan uses an existing driveway that the town owns to access the trailhead and proposes a parking lot be built. The parking lot would be small, “only two or three spots,” said Conservation Commission Chairman John Herrick.
But, Jan Chapman and Bruce Moore said that the driveway is too close to their home at 1108 Sawyer Road. Their driveway is actually connected to the driveway that the town owns. The lot line bisects the U-shaped driveway – Chapman and Moore own one half and the town owns the other. The town would use that existing driveway to save money.
“Except, it looks like they are pulling into our driveway,” Moore said.
At a public forum held last week Chapman and Moore said they would pay for a new driveway to be built 75 to 100 feet farther down Sawyer Road. Moore said it would cost $5,000 to $10,000.
“I think it’s a great idea to build the trail system,” Moore said, “but we just want to maintain our privacy.”
At the public forum Town Manager Michael McGovern pointed out that parking lots also attract kids, “and that would be nice if it wasn’t in our front yard,” Moore said.
“Plus, we have a dog that barks every time someone pulls in the driveway.”
An old, stone pottery shed exists near the existing trailhead that the plan would turn into an informational kiosk. Moore said the driveway and parking lot would be even closer to this kiosk if they moved it further away from their home.
Herrick said that the Conservation Commission would be physically reviewing the site next weekend and would request a formal proposal from Chapman and Moore, which would include estimated cost, where the funds would come from and location of the new driveway and parking lot.
“We already have a system in place that will work for us; we’re just trying to accommodate the residents,” Herrick said.
Herrick said Chapman and Moore have not yet formally agreed anything with the town, and added it is unlikely to be any town money available for a potential driveway move.
Since the construction of the Spurwink River Pedestrian Bridge Herrick said Conservation Commission funds have been depleted and any money that is raised in the future will be put towards finishing the trail system at Gull Crest.
“We want to keep Jan Chapman and Bruce Moore happy,” Herrick said, “However, they might not be getting everything they want and we might not get everything we want.”
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