NEW SCOTLAND — A 22-lot subdivision at the former Camp Shelley is closer to town approval; the planning board here continued the application this month to give the owner time to further develop slope calculations; complete a wetland delineation report, and create an ownership and maintenance plan for the property’s pond.

Owner Jameson Phillips proposed the subdivision on 62 acres off Route 85. Engineer Nicholas Costa, of Advance Engineering and Surveying, of Latham, told the board that the water system will run up-slope and through the woods from the Swift Road pump station to the roadway at Route 85. The proposed project would use a sanitary sewer, he said.

Costa plans to use a 6-inch pipe to come off Swift Road, and to install hydrants, he said.

The water source, from the Swift Road pump, is from the town of Bethlehem.

“Upgrades are necessary at the booster station,” said town engineer David Hansen, of Stantec.

The project was initially proposed with septic systems for each home, but the planning board suggested Costa investigate municipal water sources.

“It’s a much better solution, we think,” said planning board Chairman Charles Voss last week after reviewing the modified plan.

“These are large lots. They go out there for some really gorgeous views,” Costa said about sitting homes far back on the lots. “The building envelope is quite large.”

An existing pond sits on its own 3.7-acre lot, according to the design, “with an easement so residents can have access to it,” Costa said.

The planning board last year expressed concern about some of the driveways with 17-percent slopes.

Costa said last week that the driveways could have up to 5.6-percent slopes. Catch basins for drainage are also included on the plan for storm water run off, he said.

Hansen said that the state’s Department of Environmental Conservation recommended rain gardens, or depressions that receive precipitation that runs off impervious surfaces. Rain gardens are recommended for certain types of soils.

The planning board does not recommend them, Voss said, because, in general, residents do not maintain the rain gardens, or try to fill them in.

Costa suggested that dry swales be used, instead, and Voss agreed.

“It’s an enforcement nightmare,” Voss said.

“It’s a nightmare,” echoed Jeremy Cramer, the town’s building inspector.

The planning board continued the application until a wetland delineation report is completed, and an ownership and maintenance plan for the property’s pond is submitted. The board also asked Costa to include information about endangered species on the property; a visual-impact analysis of how building on one lot could affect the sight line along Route 85; and information about school bus access to a cul de sac within the proposed subdivision.