The end may be in sight for a stop-work order on the Cranberry Hills Estates development.
On Thursday (Sept. 9), the developer will submit a tree replacement plan to the Inland Wetlands Commission, the first step toward allowing construction to begin.
The trees were mysteriously torn down in early spring on the parcel off Armstrong Road, leading to the May 8 order. (Click here or hit play on the screen at left to see a video of a site walk of the property conducted by a member of Shelton’s Conservation Commission.) The incident is under investigation, but neighbors have accused the developers, John Guedes and Anthony Nizardo, of felling the trees.
They deny the charge.
Meanwhile, the Planning and Zoning Commission Tuesday set the steps for lifting the order, starting with approval of the tree replacement plan by Inland Wetlands. The developers would also have to post a bond for the value and the planting of the trees. Zoning could then lift the order.
The goal is to get the area replanted before the first frost, said Rick Schultz, zoning administrator, who will also review the restoration plan.
“The clock is ticking. This is the time to plant,” he said.
Zoning board members supported lifting the order.
“I’m surprised this stop-work order has not been lifted,” said Ruth Parkins. “We’re holding them back from doing anything on their property.”
Thomas McGorty added, “It’s not our job to find out who’s guilty.”
Chairman Anthony Pogoda, agreed.
“It’s holding them up. We all understand that. I don’t think that anybody likes that. They are being held up for someone else’s misdeed,” he said.
John R. Trautman, an ecological consultant hired by neighbors Irving and Nancy Steiner of Partridge Lane, said the replacement plan has been improved but other “ecological injuries” on the cleared site need to be addressed.
An ecologist is working with the developers and the Inland Wetlands Commission, according to their lawyer, Stephen Bellis.
The developers want to build 42 single-family units near the Cranberry Hill bog on Armstrong Road. The bog is the largest in southern New England.
