Commission approves negative determination for small rear addition at 28 Chestnut Street with erosion-control condition

The Peabody Conservation Commission on Jan. 9 issued a negative determination of applicability for a 10-by-10 rear addition at 28 Chestnut Street, allowing the applicant to proceed with the small, in-kind work subject to erosion-control conditions.

Gina Pinto Fonte, representing homeowner Jose Pinto (trustee), told the commission the project is a small bump-out to create a handicapped-accessible bathroom and laundry hookup. The applicant said the property is raised well above a railroad corridor and an adjacent brook and that the addition will be on stilts with no new basement.

Commissioners closed public comment and voted to issue a negative determination with a required condition that erosion controls be installed and reviewed by staff before work begins. The commission recorded the motion and roll-call approval; the order will be drafted and the permit issued after the required appeal period and staff review.

Why it matters: The decision allows a small accessibility-related home alteration to proceed under local wetland rules while ensuring erosion protections are in place during construction.

Next steps: Staff will draft the permit and the owner must wait for issuance and observe a 10-day appeal period before beginning work. The applicant was advised to submit erosion-control details and to coordinate on an inspection before construction.