Some Hamden neighbors are banding together once again, trying to battle a developer's plan to build nearly 300 apartments on the narrow and winding Rocky Top Road.
Residents said there was some activity on the proposed work site in recent days, adding to their concerns.
"We heard the chainsaws going in the backyard there," said George Longyear, a longtime Hamden resident. He said he walked into the woods behind his home and took photographs of several freshly cut trees. He said the tree removal was to make way for large drilling equipment to be brought in.
Hamden's Inland Wetland Commission recently ordered a Geo-hydrology study to be conducted on the 18-acre proposed work site located between Shepard and Sherman Avenues. A developer is attempting to build a 288-unit luxury housing complex just off of Rocky Top Road.
“That’s just a taste of what it’s going to be like when they start excavating the entire ridge," said Roberta Mack, who resides on nearby Rainbow Court.
Rocky Top Road area neighbors came together on Monday night to discuss how to stop - or at least slow - the plans of the developer, Mountain View Estates, LLC.
“Rocky Top Road is not wide enough or big enough to handle these kinds of trucks and equipment," said neighbor Frank Esposito.
Defending against the development has residents focused on the Inland Wetlands Commission, which will analyze the results of the Geo-hydrology testing before deciding to push the project forward any further. The next commission meeting is set for April 5 at Hamden Town Hall.
On several occasions over several weeks, NBC Connecticut has requested comment from the developer about the concerns neighbors have. On Monday, a staffer at the developer's offices in Orange said questions would be answered. However, as of Monday night, no responses had been received.
