Staff Report
QUECHEE — A major development project is being appealed in Superior Court but a permit indicates construction can start anytime.
Pomfret resident Scott Milne got the land use permit Jan. 9 for Quechee Highlands, a project involving 115,000 square feet of construction in phase one and would eventually include office, restaurant space and more than 50 residential units.
“He can (build), but the risk is his,” said Natural Resources Board District 3 Commission Coordinator Linda Matteson, whose agency granted the permit. “I doubt he would but, you know, it’s probably something to feel good about.”
Milne is being patient for now.
“Although we are optimistic that the court will rule in our favor, Quechee Highlands will not be built before complete and final permits and permissions are granted,” Milne said in an email.
The environmental division of the state’s Superior Court ruled in favor of Milne’s project in November.
Two Rivers Ottauquechee Regional Commission shot back with an appeal a month later.
TRORC Executive Director Peter Gregory wouldn’t speculate how the appeal would fare in court.
“My sense is it will be the end of the year before we’re settled,” Milne said.
Quechee Highlands has been more than 10 years in the making. The Hartford planning commission first approved a zoning amendment for the project in 2005. Milne (B& M Realty) submitted an Act 250 permit application to the state in 2012, which was denied in 2013. Milne appealed the decision a month later.
“We’ve got the facts on our side and the town of Hartford clearly understands the history of it. If we end up losing, it will be a drag, but I don’t have any regrets,” Milne, a former gubernatorial candidate, said.
Milne has often expressed frustration with Two Rivers.
“If we win in court, I believe another valuable legacy of Quechee Highlands will be mandated improvements to the way organizations like Two Rivers operates,” he said in an email.
This article first appeared in the February 18, 2016 edition of the Vermont Standard.