The Planning & Zoning Commission reviewed a pre‑application concept on March 25 for a replacement single‑family house at 91 Cherry Valley Road that includes an indoor sports court exceeding 1,200 square feet. An abutting property owner raised concerns about stormwater and erosion given the site’s steep grades and proximity to an existing brook that can flood along Highland Farm Road.

Why it matters: the property’s topography channels runoff toward a brook and adjacent parcels; neighbors asked the commission and applicant to show how the proposed development will treat and contain stormwater to avoid worsening existing flooding downstream.

Applicant representative Mister Brower described the proposal as a rebuild on the existing house footprint and said the driveway and curb cut would remain in their current locations. He presented a draft site development plan showing new catch basins and an infiltration system intended to collect roof and surface runoff and to discharge at a controlled location; Brower said the proposed work is outside the 100‑foot wetland upland review area and that Inland Wetlands staff had indicated no permit is required for the current scope.

An abutter, Deja Hickox, asked whether the lot will require blasting, how the runoff will be managed and whether the proposed drainage will increase flows into the brook that floods near Highland Farm Road. Mister Brower replied the design will include a drainage plan complying with the town drainage manual, that the project is not expected to require blasting and that the full drainage calculations and detail will be included with the formal application so DPW engineering can review.

What’s next: the applicant will file a formal application with completed drainage calculations and a stormwater plan for DPW review; the commission and DPW will evaluate compliance with the town drainage manual and any potential impacts to downstream neighbors before scheduling final action.