Lake subdivisions continue

ELDRED, NY — Town of Highland planners were looking at two subdivisions with a total of 13 new, lakefront and lake-rights lots last Wednesday.

Following a public hearing, the Highland Planning Board approved Jeffrey Esposito’s six-lot subdivision of a 50-acre parcel off Hartung Road on the southeast shore Highland Lake.

The lot yielding the six lots, which ranged in size from six to 16 acres, was part of the Highland Estates subdivision, which was approved in March.

Approval was granted after submission of successful percolation and deep pit tests.

A second public hearing for the seven-lot, 63-acre, Walter subdivision near Montgomery Lake in Yulan, was put in question by resident Donald Derfner, who challenged the notification mailings. Derfner said some residents, whose boundaries are within 500 feet of the subdivision, did not receive required certified mail notices.

Planning chair Charles Gutekunst allowed the hearing to take place saying that the mailing list would be rechecked and if Derfner was correct, another hearing would take place in June.

Several residents expressed concern that the new lots provided rights to the use of the private lake to non-lakefront residents and asked that deeds include restrictions maintaining the existing prohibition of motorized boats on the lake.

Seven letters from lake residents similarly opposed the use of boat motors, snowmobiles and ATVs.

Following the approval of a zoning variance, planners additionally approved a two-lot subdivision for Gus Oelkers, dividing the land that includes Oelkers’ Route 97 store and the family’s adjoining River Road home.