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Pittsfield Conservation Commission continues several permit reviews, issues determinations and grants two-year extension
Summary
At its Feb. 12 meeting the Pittsfield Conservation Commission continued multiple Notices of Intent to March 12, issued Negative Determinations for three small projects, and granted a two-year extension for work at 640 Churchill St.; the City and applicants will return with requested technical information.
The Pittsfield Conservation Commission on Feb. 12 unanimously voted to continue several permit applications to its March 12 meeting while issuing determinations on smaller, lower-impact projects and granting a two-year extension for one stalled Order of Conditions.
The Commission continued four Notices of Intent — drainage improvements at Cobblestone Cove (MassDEP File #263-1255), a proposed warehouse/self-storage on Hubbard Avenue (MassDEP File #263-1257), a cabin renovation at 178 Blythewood Drive (MassDEP File #263-1258), and an application proposing the use of aquatic herbicides in Onota Lake. In each case the applicant or agent asked for more time to respond to technical questions; Commissioner Jonathan Lothrop moved the continuances and Nicole Hall seconded, and the Commission approved each continuance unanimously.
Resident Hank Sultaire of 9 Cobblestone Cove urged action on the Cobblestone Cove drainage work, saying his first floor flooded during a 2021 "100-year" rain event and that issues have worsened since the nearby airport expansion. "I've lived there about 16 years," Sultaire said, arguing the neighborhood needs relief from recurring flooding.
City agent Shannon Poulin flagged outstanding engineering questions on the Hubbard Avenue proposal, including missing floodplain calculations, uncertain counts of trees to be removed, large piles of sand and gravel on site, and unresolved city-engineer review items. Matt Puntin of SK Design Group described the project footprint between Hubbard and Downing Parkway and said proposed stormwater controls rely on forebays, detention and infiltration basins intended to prevent direct sheeting into adjacent resource areas; the Commission voted to continue the matter to allow the team to address the technical comments.
The Commission issued three Negative Determinations for smaller, on-the-ground projects after staff review and conditions. The board approved a Negative 3 Determination for the Woodmont Lot Owners Trust at Westbrook Terrace limiting work to hand-trimming of pond-edge vegetation and requiring an arborist removal plan; it approved a Negative 2 Determination for placement of two prefabricated 12x16 ft sheds at 288 East New Lenox Road with a condition that the applicant notify the Commission/Agent if grading is required; and it approved a Negative 2 Determination for the Greenagers' replacement of three footbridges at Barkerville Conservation Area, with conditions that removal be by hand, work occur in low-flow/dry conditions, and plans address a small step height and potential ATV impacts.
On a separate agenda item, the Commission granted a two-year extension to the Order of Conditions for 640 Churchill Street (MassDEP File #263-1138), extending the deadline through March 24, 2028 after discussion about prior delays and state automatic extension rules.
Votes at a glance - Continue: MassDEP #263-1255 (Cobblestone Cove drainage) — motion by Jonathan Lothrop, second Nicole Hall; vote 4–0 to continue to March 12, 2026. - Continue: MassDEP #263-1257 (Hubbard Ave / Midguard Self-Storage) — motion by Lothrop, second Hall; vote 4–0 to continue to March 12, 2026. - Continue: MassDEP #263-1258 (178 Blythewood Drive) — motion by Lothrop, second Hall; vote 4–0 to continue to March 12, 2026. - Continue: Onota Lake aquatic herbicide application — motion by Lothrop, second Hall; vote 4–0 to continue to March 12, 2026. - Negative 3 Determination: CO-RDA-26-01 (Westbrook Terrace) — motion by Lothrop, second Hall; vote 4–0; conditions: trimming only, arborist plan required. - Negative 2 Determination: RDA #26-03 (288 East New Lenox Rd) — motion by Lothrop, second Hall; vote 4–0; condition: notify Commission/Agent if grading needed. - Negative 2 Determination: RDA #26-04 (Barkerville bridges) — motion by Lothrop, second Hall; vote 4–0; conditions: hand removal, low-flow/dry weather, address ramp/ATV concerns. - Extension granted: MassDEP #263-1138 (640 Churchill St.) — motion by Lothrop, second Hall; vote 4–0; extension granted through March 24, 2028.
The Commission also approved the Jan. 8, 2026 minutes and adjourned at 7:15 p.m. The City will return applicants and technical reviewers to the March 12 meeting for the continued items.
