The Springfield Conservation Commission voted to issue a negative determination that the Wetlands Protection Act does not apply to a parcel with frontage on Wendover Road, permitting the applicant to advance planning steps.

Rob LeBeck of LeBeck Associates, speaking for the applicant (Tom Retta), told the commission that "there are no wetland resource areas within the subject property" and described prior site disturbance, including a demolished diocesan building and tornado-damaged trees, that left the parcel largely cleared. LeBeck and his colleague Ryan Nelson said test pits and borings — some reaching about 30 feet — showed deep sandy soils that do not retain water, a key reason wetlands indicators were not observed.

Commissioners reviewed the Wetlands Protection Act criteria used to define wetlands — vegetation cover, surface water presence, and hydric soils — and asked technical questions about the soil map units (Windsor sand and mapped urban land), borings, and the depth of groundwater. LeBeck summarized: "We are requesting a determination of applicability for the entirety of the property, which is essentially void of wetland resource areas." (Rob LeBeck)

During public comment, a neighbor raised past sewage-backup concerns in nearby homes and asked about potential impacts to an elementary school and library adjacent to the site; staff and the consultant replied that no standing water was found in borings and the soils were sandy and dry.

After public comment closed, the commission moved, seconded and voted to issue the negative determination. The chair announced: "A negative determination was just issued." The outcome allows the applicant to proceed with subsequent planning and permitting steps for residential development on the parcel, subject to any other local or state permit requirements.

The commission did not attach additional conditions to this determination in the public record of the meeting; the negative determination applies only to the question of whether the Wetlands Protection Act protects the parcel as a wetland resource area.