HOWELL – The owner of a horse farm is seeking assurances from an applicant proposing to build an apartment complex that there will be a buffer or barrier established between the two properties.
Howell Family Apartments LLC (the Walters Group) is seeking approval from the Planning Board to construct nine two-story buildings containing 72 apartments at the intersection of West Farms and Fort Plains roads in Howell. The application was heard at the board’s Feb. 15 meeting.
During public comment, Patricia Isbrecht-Kelly of Fort Plains Road discussed the establishment of a barrier in order to prevent residents of the apartment complex from coming into contact with her horses.
The applicant is complying with a 30-foot buffer, according to the testimony.
Isbrecht-Kelly asked if the applicant would place an extra barrier or mound in the area to separate her horses from the apartment complex.
Attorney John Giunco, representing the applicant, said no such barrier was proposed.
Engineer Steven Bagge, representing the Walters Group, said the applicant is precluded by an ordinance from placing anything in the buffer zone.
Isbrecht-Kelly asserted that a barrier is needed between the two properties.
Board member William Gotto, a former mayor, said he was curious as to why the board, the applicant and Isbrecht-Kelly would not have a conversation and figure out the buffer situation “now” at the first meeting.
Gotto asked Giunco if there is anything that can be done to address Isbrecht-Kelly’s concerns.
“Our client is willing to do something that could fit, be aesthetically pleasing and not be overly cost-generative for this affordable housing project,” Giunco said.
Gotto said that in the past, the board has sought to provide relief if it is necessary to accommodate a resident.
The board’s chairman, Robert Nash, suggested that the applicant’s landscape architect, the board’s tree expert and Isbrecht-Kelly discuss the matter privately and then place comments on the record.
After some discussion, Isbrecht-Kelly said she would need more time to discuss the solution with her family.
“I need to protect (myself) from anybody at the (apartment complex) coming over, looking at my horses and possibly putting their fingers through a fence. If someone gets bit, it will be my liability,” she said.
Giunco said the applicant was willing to make landscape plantings in a certain configuration if Isbrecht-Kelly would accept the offer.
“I am not sure trees are going to deter children from coming into my backyard to look at pretty horses,” Isbrecht-Kelly said.
She said no one is near her backyard now because the area is wooded.
“If this housing goes up, we all know there are going to be children. They are going to be curious, they are going to want to come on my property, so I need something,” Isbrecht-Kelly said.
Deputy Mayor Robert Nicastro asked about the use of certain types of vegetation that would keep people away from Isbrecht-Kelly’s property, but she said she was concerned she would have to maintain the vegetation.
Giunco said the applicant is willing to install a 6-foot-tall fence to separate the properties.
The parties were asked to speak about the matter before the Howell Family Apartments application returns before the board on April 5.
