Following a May 25 planning board meeting regarding the possible construction of eight million dollar homes in the Village of Farmingdale, the board of trustees met last Tuesday and invited residents to voice their concerns regarding the possible subdivision of the 4.5 acres known as the Hueppe Property. The property, located northwest of Melville Road and southeast of Jefferson Road in the village presently houses three homes, which the applicant intends to demolish and replace with eight new homes on a cul-de-sac.

The plan was approved by the planning board on the 25th, subject to two conditions. The board requested that the applicant include a retaining wall and some shrubbery in certain locations. The plan presented to the board last Tuesday included both elements, as well as some other alternatives.

One major concern of construction beginning on the property is drainage. The land is very hilly and the applicant worked with local firm H2M to help address any drainage concerns. Upon digging boring holes in three sections of the property, the engineering firm, represented at the meeting by Tom Dickson, found that there is a layer of clay approximately 50 feet in the ground. Dickson also noted that the firm encountered water within the clay layers. The layers are a problem because any water in the vicinity cannot flow downward and could ultimately run off into neighboring properties, a concern residents of neighboring Sherman Road, Fairview Road and Jefferson Road, among others, brought up at the meeting.

Residents living on the cul-de-sac would enter the property on a new road, Lenox Hills Court, which would have complete access at the right of way on Fairview Road. Original plans for this property had a road with an entrance from Jefferson, which would result in the road abutting the homes on Sherman, something homeowners certainly opposed.

The applicant also requested that the sidewalks included on the map presented to the board at the hearing be eliminated, citing that from an aesthetic standpoint, a lack of sidewalks would create a greater setback. The representative for the applicant also noted that there is very little foot traffic on a cul-de-sac and that other properties in that area do not have sidewalks.

Dickson noted that three areas of the development require retaining walls - one at the entrance to the property, one at the west side of the property and one along the eastern property lines. He further stated that three residences on Sherman Road would be most impacted as a result of the development, citing that cars would be driving down the road facing their homes. In an effort to help eliminate headlight glare, a six foot fence with plants in front would be installed. Dickson noted that another possible solution would be to plant 8 to 10 foot pine trees.

A representative for H2M, the firm working with the applicant on the property, especially concerned with the drainage problem, spoke on the feasibility study. The firm requested that drainage structures on the property be up above 60 feet in order to accommodate the clay. In addition, diffusion wells were proposed through the clay so that water would not run off the clay into neighboring properties.

The representative specifically was asked to look at the drainage plan. He noted that based on the firm's knowledge of the village, they knew to be concerned about the clay. He explained that groundwater clay is permeable and encouraged the engineering firm to do something other than install shallow leaching pools on the property.

"We may go back and forth tweaking the design," he noted, adding that the system they would implement at the site is one that has been used throughout Long Island.

"H2M would be on the site the whole time to make sure that everything is done to proper construction standards," Dickson said, "and the great standards of the Village of Farmingdale."

Village Mayor George Graf asked the H2M representative what the probability of success is regarding the drainage issues on the property, to which he responded that there was a "good probability" that it would be successful.

Several residents stated that the board was in no position to make a decision until a final proposal was back from H2M, as representatives for both sides noted that adjustments were still being made.

"Don't downplay the clay problem," said Terri Morrison, a resident of Roxbury Street. Noting that she encountered several flooding problems on her own block, Morrison added, "my street used to be called Roxbury River."

Residents of Fairview Road resubmitted to the board a petition that was originally presented in February, asking that the plans be turned down. Aside from a few other details, the main concern of residents at the hearing was the possibility of flooding and other drainage problems that could come with the start of construction.

Many property owners who live on the roads surrounding this property noted that they have had flooding problems at one time or another, adding their concerns about major problems if construction were to begin on this site.

Jessica Healey, a Sherman Road homeowner, told the board that she asked the applicant at the May 25 planning board meeting whether or not the cul-de-sac could be moved back, resulting in less of an impact to Sherman Road residents. At the hearing, the applicant said that if it were to be moved back, they would need several variances. Healey said she was told otherwise at the planning board meeting and told the board that if this construction were to go forward, it would negatively impact the lives of all residents living by the site.

"Somebody asked me at the last meeting 'why are you so upset about a house?' This is not just my house, this is my home," she said. "If this went through it wouldn't be a home - I don't want to have to move."

Sympathizing with Healey, another resident noted that she has seen many young families moving out of the community. Regarding the clay layer, she stated, "You asked earlier about the successes, why not ask about the times that it hasn't worked?"

Residents also expressed concern about the retaining walls intended for the property. Some questioned the need for such high fences and walls, while others wondered if rain and snowfall off the walls could result in flooding problems for nearby homeowners.

"If I came down here and asked for a 12 foot fence, I'd bet you would oppose it," a Jefferson Road resident told the board. "But here they will have a six foot wall and then a six foot fence right behind it - that's 12 feet in front of my house."

Mayor Graf agreed with the resident, stating that in all likelihood they would not permit somebody to put up a 12 foot fence.

"There are a lot of very reasonable questions being asked here," he said. Agreeing with what residents said earlier, that the board was in no position to make a decision until a more complete proposal came back from the firm, trustees reserved decision on the property until they could be provided with additional information.

Trustee Joe Rachiele requested that the board reserve decision based on a more complete engineering report. He also said that the board would like some options as to a performance bond - some sort of assurance bond that would protect nearby homeowners in the event that flooding or drainage problems should occur, not just once construction began, but up to a year or more after it was completed. He also asked the applicant to resubmit plans for the six foot retaining wall for the six foot fence above it.

The applicant was asked to resubmit revised documents for the board's consideration. The hearing will continue on Tuesday, Aug. 10 at 7:30 p.m.

The site commonly referred to as the "Hueppe Property," was originally owned by the Wiedens, later sold to Hueppe sometime in the 1970s. Plans for construction on this site began sometime in 2002, when the site was purchased by local developer Robbie Lee and was known as "Lenox Hills Estates." Lee purchased the property from Hueppe, who owned the majority of it and also bought the remainder from Fitzpatrick.

Lee's original plan called for 11 homes and the entrance was going to be from Jefferson Road. The plan was revised in early 2003 when the project was abandoned by Lenox Hills and the property was sold to Bartone Holdings, LLC, who is the current landowner.

In November 2003, a plan was brought before the village for 10 new homes and planning board hearings were held in December 2003/January 2004. Village officials felt that 10 homes were too many to put on that property and the application was denied.

Plans were again revised and brought before the planning board on May 25. This time, the project plans called for eight new homes, a new entrance off Fairview Road and other revisions. The planning board ultimately approved the newest plan, subject to a few conditions. The applicant then came before the village board of trustees, who have now asked for further revisions. The hearing will continue on August 10.