The Peterborough Planning Board is requiring an independent hydrology and wetland study for the proposed subdivision on the former site of the Walden Eco Village on Garland Way.
Applicant Akhil Garland first described his plan to subdivide the Walden Eco Village in July 2020, at which point 25 tenants were renting the seven cottages and nine tiny houses, or casitas, on site. Garland’s most recent proposal iteration is for a 20-lot subdivision, which would consist of the seven standing cottages and 13 new three-bedroom homes, all on quarter-acre lots. There are multipleongoing lawsuits regarding permit and code violations discovered on site in December 2020, and the subsequent mass eviction of all tenants.
On Monday, July 12, the Planning Board opted to require independent hydrology and wetland studies after finding the applicant’s submissions insufficient, according to draft meeting minutes.
Numerous area residents have expressed concern that the development would stress the local aquifer in previous hearings. The hydrology study submitted by the applicants calculated that although the development would require 13 new wells in addition to the existing one, for a total demand of 7,950 gallons per day or 5½ gallons per minute, the demand is well within the local aquifer’s recharge rate, and the 16 wells in a mile radius of the property are unlikely to be affected.
However, Town Planner Danica Melone found the study inadequate, according to a report to the Planning Board dated June 9. She also noted the continued lack of detailed information about wetlands on the property, another point of contention in previous meetings. The Planning Board heeded the analysis, requiring an independent hydrology study and wetland delineation, with costs to be paid for by the applicant.
A site walk is scheduled on the property at 360 Middle Hancock Road for July 26 at 6:30 p.m. The Planning Board’s next regularly scheduled meeting is Aug. 9.