DERBY – A developer who wants to build a 45-lot subdivision atop “Telescope Mountain” in west Derby temporarily pulled his application from the Derby Planning and Zoning Commission.
Dominick Thomas, the lawyer for the developer, Summit Hill LLC, wrote a letter dated March 14 to Gino DiGiovanni, Jr. saying the withdrawal is needed, because the developer must first go to the Derby Inland Wetlands Commission.
Members of the Inland Wetlands Commission are tasked with making sure new development doesn’t damage existing wetland or water courses.
Thomas’ letter indicates there are wetlands off Coon Hollow Road, which the developer sees as an entrance and exit to the subdivision, should it be constructed.
“The application will be re-filed immediately after the filing of the Inland Wetlands Commission application for activity in a regulated area,” Thomas wrote.
A date has not been set as of March 19.
The Derby wetlands commission hasn’t had an application to consider since 2023, according to the city’s meeting calendar. The commission’s schedule calls for meetings the second Wednesday of every month. Check the calendar to see when they meet.
The land in question is currently undeveloped off Summit Street.
According to a Valley Indy story published March 3, Summit Hill LLC wants to build eight single-family houses on the northern portion of the property next to a cemetery. The plans call for the rest of the property to be developed into 37 duplexes. That brings the total number of units to 82.
Any proposed development on the property has been controversial because the land is hilly with rock ledge. Any development proposed requires blasting in an area that is densely populated with condos, multi-family houses, and aging single-family houses.
Neighbors have said Derby needs residential development downtown, not atop one of the last remaining green spaces in the city.
At past meetings regarding development at the property, neighbors have asked the city to intervene and buy the land to preserve as open space to no avail.