The Rindge Planning Board approved on Tuesday a 15-lot subdivision on Dale Farm Road and Knight Lane.

The application was submitted by Ashoryn LLC for a property that straddles the town’s business/light industry and residential/agricultural districts. The board had previously heard and approved a similar proposal, but the application was resubmitted due to the state’s Department of Environmental Services dissatisfaction with the proposed layout of a new road that would provide access to the homes expected to be built on the property, due to wetland impact.

The application was resubmitted with a new road design, and was treated as a new application. The previous application was approved as a planned unit residential development, with a proposed 14 homes. The reconfiguration of the road allowed for adding a lot.

The Planning Board had previously reviewed the application, and continued it to hold a site walk Jan. 14. During the site walk, the board reviewed requested changes to the planned road layout, including the addition of a pull-off area for emergency vehicles, which would give access to a dry hydrant.

The board walked the new path for the road.

During Tuesdays meeting, Planning Board Chair Roberta Oeser asked if the board was satisfied with the changes made, and if there were any further questions for the applicant. When the board indicated their satisfaction with the updates to the plan, the board discussed conditions for the proposed property.

One of the conditions of approval for the subdivision is requiring it to be built in phases. The town’s current zoning ordinance allows developments that will eventually have between 10 to 20 houses to build a maximum of 25% of the total homes each year. For the Ashoryn application, the Planning Board approved up to four units to be built for the first three years, with the remaining three to be built in the fourth year.

Oeser noted that the building schedule is one of the items the board has put forth for a zoning amendment, which will be voted on in March.  If passed, developments of up to 15 homes could be built in three years, rather than four, with up to 33% of the total homes built each year.

Oeser noted that the applicant may want to return to the board to seek a revision of the condition, based on the result of the March vote.

One of the concerns posed by both board members and neighbors of the property related to potential access to the subdivision from Knight Lane, which is a Class VI road. The subdivision road is anticipated to run the length of the property and have a turnaround that touches Knight Lane, but is not intended to be a through way.

Developer Matt Olson has indicated that access from Knight Lane should be maintained for possible emergency access, but would not be intended for regular traffic, and indicated a willingness to put a gate or some other measure to prevent regular use. The board, during initial discussions, also indicated that Knight Lane is a town road, and they cannot prevent traffic from using it. The board put no conditions on the Knight Lane access in their approval.

The board voted unanimously to approve the application.

Ashley Saari can be reached at 603-924-7172, Ext. 244 or asaari@ledgertranscript.com. She’s on X @AshleySaariMLT.