The Planning Board gave the go-ahead to two new subdivisions in Dartmouth – although one has been in the works for nearly a decade.

Following a public hearing, the board okayed a modified plan for Stonebridge Lane, a two-lot subdivision the board had previously approved in 2006. It is located off of Smith Neck Road.

At issue was a drainage pipe on the property and language on the approved plan calling for a “proposed drainage easement” along the road. According to Attorney Richard Manning, the language was in place for construction of a public road, but the road will remain private, he said. The language was inadvertently carried over into documents that were approved.

The proposal to modify the approved 2006 plan, and remove the drainage pipe and easement language stemmed from an abutter's concerns that the easement would make the lots unbuildable due to zoning rules governing required upland areas. Board members, however, were then concerned with the effectiveness of the drainage system without the pipe.

At its August 21 meeting, members received engineering analyses conducted by several firms which found the site plan could accommodate a major flooding event even without the pipe, along with recommendations by the town attorney. The board voted to approve the changes.

The board also approved a second subdivision, slated for construction at an existing junkyard at 1060 Old Fall River Road. Developers plan to turn the property into six new lots with a total of seven single-family homes, including an existing home on the property.

Engineer Steven Gioiosa from SITEC Engineering touted the project’s potential to help redevelop land to a use that conforms with the rest of the area, and clean up the property.