FAIRFAX CONDO PROJECT APPLICATION BEING REVIEWED

A Messenger article on Thursday, Dec. 1, reported that an Act 250 hearing had been scheduled for a 44-unit condominimum project off Route 104 in Fairfax. Geoff Green, the district coordinator today said no hearing has been scheduled. The board, he said, is reviewing the application to see whether it can be treated as a minor application. A decision is anticipated soon. Also, the photograph in the Dec. 1 edition shown above that purported to show the parcel that would be developed was incorrect.

(The parcel is almost directly across from where Minors Gas Pumps are located, not in the foreground as it would appear to be in the photo)

Developers anticipate 110 new local residents

By LEE J. KAHRS
Messenger Staff Writer
FAIRFAX –– A plan to build 44 new condominiums in Fairfax enters the Act 250 land use-permitting phase today.

The District 6 Environmental Commission has scheduled a hearing on the application of Lost Tree Inc. to construct a 44-unit condominium project on 18 acres in Fairfax. The property is located on Route 104 across from Minor’s Country Store.

The Fairfax Development Review Board gave the project local approval in September. The property is zoned for mixed residential/commercial use.

According to the Act 250 application, the two bedroom units will be contained in three pairs of long two-story buildings facing each on just under two acres of the property. About 70 percent of the land will remain undeveloped, with gardening plots and a recreational area planned for part of the open space.

Approximately 12 acres will be set aside for “some form of agricultural use,” according to the application.

A single, 900-foot long private roadway will serve the development. There will be off-street parking, a community wastewater collection and treatment system, and a community water supply.

The road, water and sewer systems will be owned and maintained by a homeowner’s association. Homeowners will be required to contribute $500 per unit into an interest-bearing fund used to make repairs and pay for services such as snow removal.

Parking for two cars is proposed for each unit, with one space inside a garage and one space in the driveway.

According to a traffic analysis study submitted with the Act 250 application, the project will generate an additional 41 cars per hour during morning and afternoon peak traffic hours. A total of 264 car trips per day would be generated by the development.

The study determined that the level of service in that area of Route 104 is currently “A,” which is the best. Planners assert that the project will not have a negative effect on traffic in the area.

Regarding the impact on local schools, planners estimate the project will add 53 more children to the community.

The development is expected to add 110 new residents to Fairfax, increasing the population of 3,929 by 2.8 percent, according to the Act 250 application.

Estimated construction time is two years.