Woodhaven/Merrywood Neighborhood Group

May 23, 2005

Board of Selectmen
Board of Finance
Planning Commission
Open Space Land Preservation Subcommittee
Conservation Commission/Inland Wetlands Agency
Simsbury Town Hall 
933 Hopmeadow Street
Simsbury CT  06070

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen:

	We are writing to you regarding the plans presented by Ethel Walker for the development of its woodland property West of Bushy Hill Road.  We would like to express a number of serious concerns about the proposed development.  They are as follows:

	1.  Impact on Well Systems, Water Flow, and Aquifer.   We are concerned with the potential impact of the proposed development on the Woodhaven/Merrywood well systems and water supply, as well as the town's water supply, since the aquifer situated behind us serves us all.  Some of us already have problems with low pressure, and others have had water problems develop in unexpected places on our home sites when minor construction was performed on nearby homes sites.  This is a major concern for our neighborhood.

	2.  Potential Use of Woodhaven As Access for Development. We are concerned that Woodhaven Drive, which is now a cul-de-sac road, will be used for Walker's access to the new development (during the construction phase, and afterward), beyond true emergency access, such as for fire trucks.   We understand that Walker does not intend such a use at this time, but plans do change,  and the possibility that our road could be used for broader access is very troublesome.  Woodhaven is a narrow road which includes a fairly steep hill, and some curves where visibility is limited.  Even our neighbors have trouble complying with the existing 25 mile per hour speed limit, either on the way up the hill, or on the way down it.  Our kids walk, run, exercise our dogs, and ride their bikes on this road as a matter of course.  Several of our neighbors' driveways are on an incline, so that kids come into the road quickly on bicycles, or while chasing balls rolling downhill. Woodhaven was developed in the 1970s, and the fact that it is not a through road is an essential feature of the neighborhood.  This is also a major concern for our neighborhood.

	3.  Proximity of New Home Sites to Existing Homes.  Many of us are troubled by the proximity of the proposed new home sites to the existing homes on the North side of Woodhaven Drive.

	4.  Loss of Wildlife Habitat. Many of us are concerned by the potential loss of interior forest and other wildlife habitat.  We have countless bird and animal species in the Walker woods, some of which rely on the interior forests for breeding and nesting.  In addition, the 450-acre Walker woods form part of  important open space and woodland wildlife corridors extending to Tulmeadow farm and beyond to McLean, which is itself contiguous with the large protected tracts on the Town's West ridge.  Walker’s plans provide for roads creeping throughout the entire 450-acre woodland, leaving only fragmented areas of open space between the development's roadways, which is of little value as wildlife habitat.   We also question whether clearing restrictions currently intended by Walker can be maintained and enforced throughout the development process and afterward.

	5.   Wetland Protection.  With respect to the many wetland areas, vernal pools, streams, marshes and boggy spots throughout the low-lying areas of the Walker woods, many of us are concerned with the impact of runoff from the roads and  driveways, and pesticides from the lawns which are part of the development, which again, is planned to spread throughout the forest. 

	6.   	Town Recreation Resource. We are also concerned about the loss of an important resource for passive recreation that is used and enjoyed by many in our neighborhood, as well as many Town residents of all ages in this part of Simsbury.  There are miles of horse trails and walking paths already laid out that network all of the Walker woodland, and connect it on all sides to Town-owned wetlands, open space and fields, Town Forest Park, Woodhaven Drive, Beaverbrook Drive, West Mountain Road, Stratton Brook Road, and on from Town Forest Road to Stratton Brook Park.  We understand that Walker's preliminary plans include retaining some existing trails and creating some new ones to wend throughout the development.  We question whether these intentions will be maintained throughout the development process and afterward, and we note that a housing development with walking paths encircling its edges and wending among the roadways is not comparable to the resource we currently have in this property.

	We acknowledge that Walker has been a good neighbor to all of us for many years, and a good member of our Town.  The School has been generous in granting the public access to its property, and has significantly added to the quality of life in this Town.  We also understand that Walker has trustee obligations that must be met.   However, we ask that all of you give serious thought to the concerns we have expressed above, and do all that you can to meet Walker’s legitimate needs and still preserve this property.   

Thank you for your consideration.

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[Signature Page to Woodhaven Neighborhood Letter]

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