Wilmington Planning Board Approves Hardy Road Subdivision

On January 7, the Planning Board voted to approve a six lot development on Hardy Road. As planned, four of the five lots on the north side of the road were to have their own driveway onto Hardy Road. Hardy Road is a popular biking destination. One person attending the meeting expressed his concern about having that many cars exiting onto Hardy Road, given the number of bicyclists. He asked that the Planning Board require the developer to have one road which would be shared by all of the driveways. With the exception of one Board member who supported the idea, the rest of the Planning Board would not agree to require this change. However, one of the Board members asked if there could be a compromise, and the developer voluntarily agreed to reduce the number of driveways to three. In our article on the NYS Pro-Housing Certification Program, we noted that the Town Board adopted the Pro-Housing Resolution and took the Pro-Housing Pledge. A principle of the Resolution reads: “we believe that infill development that reduces sprawl and supports walkable communities has significant environmental and public health benefits.” The Planning Board’s actions are not consistent with this principle when it continues to approve subdivisions far outside the Town center.