Disgust. This sums up our sentiments after attending the Westbrook Planning Board meeting of June 20th concerning a proposed 12-house subdivision off Tolman Street and its impact on the existing homes and neighborhood.
A traffic study was presented of which data confirms that Tolman Street already provides the highest “use percentage” of the Deer Hill area for vehicles accessing Main Street as well as “extreme delays” exiting Tolman Street. These ratings omitted the future development of possibly 30 homes on planned paper streets of Deer Hill.
Yet, the Planning Board didn’t consider these factors and others significant enough to deny the development or encourage other possible routes to access it, such as Mason Street or Melcher Court, both are currently dead end or reduce the number of homes for the project.
Instead, they are willing to oblige the developers and place the burden onto the residents/taxpayers of Tolman Street. To encourage an entrance on a curve that will face an existing driveway, encounter another blind drive, and leave a longtime resident’s home sitting like a peninsula surrounded by blacktop leaves one to conclude a single entity’s interest is being protected rather than many.
Equally disturbing at this meeting was the behavior of the chairman, Ed Reidman, who was unwilling to provide a forum for any public comment, be it a question, inquiry, or address additional concerns this traffic study generated. Nor were any board members, when given the opportunity to make a motion, willing to do so. Instead each opted to remain silent, refusing to invite any discussion in spite of the numerous requests from those of us in the audience wishing to do so. Their inaction caused us to react, answered with a repeated slamming of the gavel by Mr. Reidman announcing this as “my meeting.” Point noted, but if you believe in the civic process of the board you chair then support all that encompasses. Provide and promote an invitation for the citizens of this town to speak at each meeting not just one.
With regards to Rene Daniel, the vice-chair, and our Ward One representative, we carry the greatest disappointment. His unwillingness to offer a motion for those of us before the board to exercise our right to speak is inexcusable. His lack of action is an injustice to each of us and discredits the seat he occupies on the board. It was a disturbing visual to witness. His focus over how many trees are to be planted vs. the traffic survey draw into question his priority of aesthetics over safety.
Yes, green space and trees are a positive element but having been discussed at prior meetings the traffic study was the relevant topic and poses the greatest safety issues.
Each of you are appointed to these seats in the role of public service, by excluding any civil discourse by the public you violated the very intent of your responsibilities and diminish the Planning Board’s credibility. The board is viewed to represent multiple roles for planning and development, as stewards and preservationists for our neighborhoods, you failed on each level. Any Westbrook resident viewing this meeting will see an ugly side of town politics. One in which meetings are primarily to provide discussion between staff, board members and developers, often yielding new information of which the public isn’t permitted to comment or question. This entire process seems to put the cart before the horse. For all parties involved, it would be much more productive if each meeting allotted a time for public feedback. After sitting through these meetings and watching others televised I think a clerk at city hall can handle the developer’s applications and eliminate the Planning Board altogether.
It’s really just a matter of meeting specifications: the minimum frontage, check, the square footage on the lot, check, distance from abutters, check, proper building height, check, here’s your permit.
A lesson learned for other residents who may find themselves facing a high density development, skip the meetings and just hire an attorney. The board really isn’t interested of how it may impact your lives, devalue your property, or pose lasting safety issues. They will continue to cast their votes with indifference.
The City Council as well has done all of us a disservice by reducing the required residential lot size. We could actually construct three houses on our.52 acre city lot by the current code. Ridiculous! When it comes to standing up for your rights, speaking to protect your interests you’ll find out the real meaning of community, it’s making lots more of them no matter what the costs to you. The name of the development aptly represents our feelings- we’ve been railroaded.
Patricia Youland
Steven Carmichael
Westbrook
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