The Antrim Planning Board gave approval for a seven-lot subdivision proposed by Battaglia Foundations at Thursday night’s public hearing.

The Planning Board also approved two lot-line mergers and a special use wetlands permit to enable a driveway to access the property. The hearing had been rescheduled after the April 4 snowstorm. 

“We are very pleased with how willing the Antrim Planning Board has been to work with us to move this project forward, and we’re very happy with the outcome,”  said John Lefebvre of Fieldstone Consulting, who represents Battaglia Foundations.

The Battaglia subdivision will be located at Concord Street, North Main Street and Mescilbrooks Road in Antrim, which is located in the Village and Residential districts. The homes will be connected to town sewer and water. 

Lefebvre noted that at this time, the Battaglia family plans to retain two of the proposed lots for family use, with the other five lots being developed for sale. 

During deliberations, Planning Board member John Anderson asked if there was a possibility for Battaglia to build townhouses instead of single-family homes. 

“There is a critical shortage of housing, and people are moving out of Antrim because they can’t find housing,” Anderson said. “Any housing we can provide in the downtown area will be a huge benefit to the town. We are trying to consolidate residential projects that are on town water and sewer.” 

Patrick Battaglia responded that building duplexes instead of single-family homes was “definitely a possibility.” 

“There is definitely a high demand for housing,” Battaglia said. “I think a lot of people would jump at the chance to buy a duplex for their families.” 

Lefebvre noted that the project “is trying to make good use of the land.”

“My client has made good aesthetic choices as far as making this an attractive project,” he said. 

In response to questions from the board about providing safe walking access to the village via Mescilbrooks Road, Lefebvre said they will look into the possibility of creating a footpath. 

After some discussion, the board determined that building duplexes instead of single-family homes on the subdivision would not require a new application. Following deliberation,  the board approved the requested lot-line adjustment, a special use permit for the driveway and the subdivision permit. 

The special use permit will allow Battaglia to build a driveway over existing wetlands. According to Lefebvre, the road access over the wetlands is the only way to access the 25-acre property. 

“Just to confirm, the lot cannot be used or accessed without this crossing,” Lefebvre said. “We have chosen the lowest-impact access points, and we are protecting the wetlands as best we can.”

Lefebvre noted that because the development will be connected to town water and sewer, no septic system is required and impact on wetlands will be negligible. 

The board granted the special permit on the conditions that the driveway crossing receives approval from the state Department of Environmental Services, that Battaglia or his representatives meet with the Conservation Commission for their input and approval and that the project incorporate best practices for treating stormwater and erosion. 

The subdivision permit was granted with the condition that the DOT review approve the proposed new driveways for the property off of Route 202. Approvals for water and sewer connections and from the Fire Department are also required. 

The board also voted to include a note within the subdivision approval that “the board has a strong preference for duplexes.”

“We can’t mandate duplexes,” Anderson clarified. “We can only suggest them.”