Bluestone gets preliminary approval for development

Neighbor complains of run-off

By TOM KANE

DAMASCUS, PA — The developer of the Bluestone Mountain Estates can now begin to prepare the infrastructure for the 12-lot, 83-acre development site that will dominate the ridge above the Delaware River across from Narrowsburg, NY. He submitted the preliminary site plan at the Damascus Township Supervisors’ meeting on September 21.

Robert Wiegers, who also owns the Eagle’s Nest Estates on Route 97 below Narrowsburg, has permission to build the road off of Plank Road leading into the development and to prepare the installation of utilities.

“When that work is complete, we will inspect it to see if it meets the township requirements,” said Damascus Township zoning officer Ed Lagarenne. “If it does, he must complete a final plan and, if approved, can begin preparing the lots and erecting buildings.”

Lagarenne said he would be strictly monitoring the removal of trees at the site. “We have agreed that the removal of trees will be limited to the area of construction of the buildings and the area necessary to put in a septic system.” Wiegers, who has been accused of cutting down a large number of trees at his Eagle’s Nest Estates sites, said he would restrict the number of trees at the Bluestone site.

Lagarenne said some limited number of select trees could be cut to enhance the view of the river.

Each home shall have its own water well and septic system, he said.

One home owner on River Rest Drive, which is connected to River Road immediately below the construction site, said that water has been flowing down on to her road all winter since Wiegers began working on the site.

“The water from the site came down on our road, flooding it when there was a heavy rainfall and freezing the surface of the road,” said Mickey Gulino. “He bought in a logger who removed a limited number of trees and a lot of water began coming down after that.”

Wiegers said that he has done nothing to alter any trees on the site. The only thing he has done at the site where a house stands, dominating the ridge, is put a second floor on the house.

“That wouldn’t cause water to run down the ridge,” he said. “I have been told by a woman I know who lives down there that water has always flowed down after a big rain.”

Wiegers said that he has abided by every rule and regulation of the township and the state. “I pay engineers good money to avoid problems like this,” he said.

Gulino, who is the only full-time resident of the road, said she and her weekend neighbors would be watchful as the construction progresses.

Following the rules of the township, an environmental impact statement was conducted and submitted to see if the project could aversely impact the environment. “Nothing in the statement would hinder the project from moving forward,” said Ernest Matern, the chairman of the township’s planning commission.