Madison Planners Extend Hearing on 18-Unit River Road Cluster Plan

Planning and Zoning · Meeting of September 17, 2026

Madison Planning and Zoning extends hearing on contested 18-unit River Road cluster plan to October 15. Developer Bob Paolucci, founder of Principal Wealth Partners, and partner Paul Cody of Cody Construction presented engineering, traffic and architectural details for the small cluster development on 5.5 acres at Mill Road and River Road, drawing dueling legal arguments over whether the site qualifies under the town's "500 feet" eligibility rule. More than 20 residents spoke, roughly split, with supporters citing housing diversity and tax revenue and opponents citing density, septic and drainage concerns; one neighbor said the plan means "18 houses, two-plus stories, 18 subterranean foundations, 18 two-car attached garages." The commission agreed to give the neighbors' hired engineer, Steve Trinkus, 10 minutes to present a rebuttal report at the next session, versus the standard two minutes for public comment.

Traffic engineers projected only 18 morning and 20 evening peak-hour trips, with a Level of Service A rating at all nearby intersections.

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• Who Was There
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Source: the Planning and Zoning meeting of September 17, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.