A Connecticut developer wants to build houses priced in the $400,000 and $50,000 range on land off Silver Street.
AGAWAM – Despite the poor economy, a Connecticut developer is forging ahead with plans to develop 10 house lots on land off Silver Street.
The developer, J. Kirk MacNaughton of East Granby, Conn., said Wednesday that the housing market in Agawam continues to be robust, with other subdivisions projects in the city doing well.
“Agawam has been very strong,” MacNaughton said.
He plans to build houses in the $400,000 to $450,000 range on 23.3 acres of wooded land he owns off 673 Silver St. MacNaughton needs subdivision approval from the Planning Board to develop the project, which he is calling Aspenwoods Estates. Preliminary plans are now before the Planning Board, which, if approved, will enable MacNaughton to move ahead developing a definitive plan for the project.
Plans call for developing 10 house lots right away with two lots zoned for industrial use to be developed at a later date, according to MacNaughton. The land proposed for the house lots is zoned residence A-1 and the land proposed for industrial use has industrial B zoning.
MacNaughton would like to build an access road off Silver Street to be called Aspenwoods Lane. It would culminate in a cul-de-sac at the northeast corner of the site that would connect to Doane Avenue.
Neighbors of the project on Doane Avenue and whose backyards would abut the proposed access road are staunchly opposed to the proposed subdivision.
They have sent a petition with the signatures of 40 Doane Avenue residents objecting to the project to the Planning Board.
“The plan would adversely affect Doane Avenue Avenue by eliminating its current status as a ‘dead end’ street,” the petition, which is on file in the Planning Office, states. “Doane Avenue is an old, narrow road with no sidewalks and increased traffic would create a safety hazard for all concerned, especially children.”
The proposed street would be able to accommodate up to 400 vehicle trips per day, according to information the developer has filed with the Planning Board.
Linda J. Jacobs of 64 Doane Ave. said she opposes the project not just on the grounds that it would draw traffic, but also on environmental grounds. She said wetlands at the site are habitat for such endangered species as the box turtle as well as such wildlife was deer.