By NEAL RENTZ
The Lewisboro Planning Board on Tuesday moved closer to approving construction of 12 more units at the Villas at Vista in Cross River.
The board set a public hearing for the project forTuesday, Oct. 15, and could vote to approve the project following the closing of the hearing.
Previously, at its August meeting, the board voted unanimously to approve a “negative declaration of significance” for the proposal. They would be built at Building 9 A/B on the site, 920 Oakridge Commons.
Counsel to the planning board, Judson Siebert, said previously that the body cannot close a public hearing on the project until after the Zoning Board of Appeals makes its decisions regarding the plan.
Robert Eberts, principal architect with Cross River Architects, told the planning board this week that his client’s project is scheduled to go before the ZBA Wednesday, Sept. 25.
The project was recently approved by the Architecture and Community Appearance Review Council, Eberts said.
Eberts said the plan calls for the continuation of the stone face, which is a feature of the outside of the current housing on the site.
Planning Board Chairwoman Janet Andersen said the board is seeking a written memorandum on the project from Vista Fire Chief of Department Jeffrey Peck. Among the issues the chief will comment on is the effect of new housing units on the ability of a firetruck to turn around on the site, she said. It would “be great to get something” from the Vista fire chef, she said.
Phil Pine, a managing member of Smith Ridge Associates, said the fire department would not need a ladder truck in the event of an emergency at the property because the height of the roofs on the buildings would preclude the use of one.
On another topic related to the project, Pine said his client would be open to allowing residents of the development to store their electric bikes in a storage area in the proposed large lobby, which would have a sprinkler system.
Andersen told the representatives of Villas at Vista that additional information about the proposal, including an outdoor lighting plan, was needed by the town.
Aside from scheduling the October public hearing, the planning board instructed town staff to create a resolution to approve the project, which could be approved as early as next month if the plan receives ZBA approval and the public hearing is closed.