Drainage Remains Sticking Point for Vaughan Place Condo Project

A developer who plans to build 16 condos in the Foster's Pond area will have engineers design a drainage plan and present it to neighbors before the next Zoning Board of Adjustment hearing on the project — Jan. 23.

Peter Spellios of the ZBA told developer Ralph DiGiorgio of DiGiorgio & Messina on Wednesday that the meeting with neighbors would build goodwill.

Neighbors remain worried about the Vaughan Place project's influence on flooding in a neighborhood already plagued by water problems.

Neighbor Brad Silsbee said after the meeting that the fear of flooding is a constant for him and his neighbors. Twice over the past summer his basement was flooded with half a foot of water and a year ago he lost a motorcycle to flooding.

The drainage plan and its presentation is a step in the right direction, he said.

The Archer Street project, which is near Vaughan Place, proposes 16 condos for people 55 and older on a 4.87-acre parcel of undeveloped land.

The condos are slated to sell for between $479,000 and $549,000.

Another speaker at Wednesday's meeting said he thinks the project will bring down the quality of life for the neighborhood.

Ken Washburn said the proposal crams far too many units into an area suitable for three to four house lots.