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Pittsfield Conservation Commission approves multiple Certificates of Compliance, modifies Pontoosuc planting plan and OKs self-storage redevelopment
Summary
At its May 7 meeting the Pittsfield Conservation Commission issued numerous Certificates of Compliance for completed projects, approved a planting modification at Pontoosuc Lake Park, issued an Order of Conditions for a Midguard Self-Storage project on Hubbard Avenue, ratified an enforcement order for shed disposal, and continued several large items to later meetings.
The Pittsfield Conservation Commission at its May 7, 2026 meeting issued a string of routine but consequential actions: it granted an Order of Conditions for the Midguard Self-Storage redevelopment on Hubbard Avenue, approved a modification to the Pontoosuc Lake Park wetland planting plan, issued Certificates of Compliance for a series of completed projects, ratified an enforcement order for shed disposal, and continued several larger applications to upcoming meetings.
Jim Scalise of SK Design Group described the Midguard Self-Storage redevelopment and recent pit testing and stormwater reviews. City staff (Shannon Poulin) reported that the project had addressed MassDEP comments and included tree plantings; the commission voted unanimously to issue Order of Conditions 1–35 for the Hubbard Avenue project.
At Pontoosuc Lake Park, Jim McGrath reviewed a modification request for the wetland restoration planting plan at 40 Hancock Road after parks maintenance accidentally mowed much of a planted area. The commission approved planting about 50 buttonbush shrubs to stabilize the bank and to visually screen the boardwalk; the shrubs were reported to be donated by a resident and the area will be marked “No Mow.”
The board also issued Complete Certificates of Compliance for a series of properties where work has been completed and As‑Built or monitoring documentation was provided. Those approved included 5 Hancock Road (addition and mitigation plantings), Lakeway Drive/Onota Lake (bank stabilization and stairs), 169–181 Dewey Avenue (cleared for Westside Riverway Park), 703 West Housatonic Street (solar array with As‑Built plans), 690 Merrill Road (renovation of former K‑Mart garden center), 20 Hungerford Street (house addition on helical piers), 301 Francis Avenue (replacement residence with flood vents), 619 Fenn Street (demolition and gravel parking lot), and 25 Grand Avenue (garage with smart vents and compensatory storage). The commission approved a certificate for an invalid Order of Conditions at 694 East Street to close that file.
The commission ratified Enforcement Order EO 26-01 concerning disposal of a wooden shed down an embankment at 65–67 Taylor Street after MassDEP notification and a complaint from BEAT. The enforcement action was ratified unanimously.
Several applications were continued: Cobblestone Cove drainage improvements (MassDEP file #263-1255), Onota Lake aquatic herbicide application (MassDEP file #263-1259), and a dam repair at Wild Acres (MassDEP file #263-1261) were continued to May 28, 2026; the Wahconah Park reconstruction (MassDEP file #263-1262) was continued to August 13, 2026. The commission approved minutes for March 12 and April 9 with recorded abstentions and adjourned at 7:00 p.m.
Next steps: continued items will return to the commission at the dates noted above; enforcement EO 26-01 remains in effect while follow-up inspections occur.
