Town of New Castle Planning Board Meeting 7/7/26

The Town of New Castle Planning Board held a meeting on July 7, 2026, primarily focused on a public hearing regarding the site development plan for a new residence at 14 Hollow Ridge Road (Casola property). The discussion centered on the proposed clearing and grading limits, stormwater and erosion control measures, septic expansion areas, and development coverage exceeding prior approvals by approximately 3,400 square feet. Board members and consultants debated the necessity and justification for the increased development coverage, including the size of the driveway, parking court, and pool patio, with some members urging reductions to align with neighborhood standards. Technical comments addressed stormwater design, grading, and landscaping mitigation, including hand planting to minimize disturbance. The board agreed to keep the public hearing open, request revised plans with potential reductions, and prepare a draft resolution for the next meeting on July 21, aiming to finalize the approval with adjusted development coverage figures. No votes on the project were taken at this meeting, but procedural motions to open and continue the hearing were passed.