UPDATE: A controversial plan to annex 183 acres in Haverhill Township has ignited immediate concerns among local residents. Just yesterday, nearly 60 neighbors attended a critical informational meeting to review the proposed development, known as Hadley Valley, which aims to construct a mix of 177 single-family homes and 28 fourplexes east of Hadley Creek Golf Course.
Residents voiced urgent worries about the project’s environmental impact, increased traffic, and housing density. Haverhill Township Board Member Steve Pollack revealed that he has been aware of the potential development since the late 1990s but noted that the plans can proceed without township approval due to an existing orderly annexation agreement with Rochester. “I’m kind of surprised that it held out as long as it did,” Pollack stated.
The annexation agreement is designed to expedite the approval process once a developer requests to integrate the land into the city limits, which will ultimately require Rochester City Council approval. Pollack emphasized that this arrangement significantly limits the township’s control over the project.
Plans from Farmland, LLC indicate that all homes in the development will be for sale. Adam Pleschourt, a Widseth engineer involved in the planning, mentioned that the designs are still in flux. “None of this is final; this is all just kind of looking at what is possible,” he explained.
Residents, particularly those from the nearby Connemara development, are apprehensive about the implications of such a large-scale construction project. With around 70 acres earmarked for housing, concerns about traffic congestion and environmental degradation loom large.
To address these issues, a traffic study and environmental review are currently underway, and results are expected to be submitted alongside the general development plan. “The development plan will set some parameters for future construction,” said Craig Britton of Widseth, who noted that Rochester’s development code mandates specific procedural steps before any construction can commence.
While the general development plan typically doesn’t require extensive review beyond initial staff approval, Pleschourt assured residents that they will have opportunities to voice their concerns at future neighborhood meetings. “That just means moving on to the next application,” he clarified regarding the approval process.
As plans progress, critical reviews by the Rochester Planning and Zoning Commission and the City Council will be necessary before any construction can begin. Britton estimated that work on the site could start as early as late summer, pending all required approvals.
The community remains on high alert as the situation develops, with many residents eager to see how these plans will shape their neighborhood and the local environment. Stay tuned for further updates on this pressing issue.
