Lee Conservation Commission Meeting - June 3, 2026

The Lee Conservation Commission met on June 3, 2026, to discuss several agenda items including approval of previous meeting minutes, a forest cutting plan review, a request for determination of applicability, a continued certificate of compliance, and a notice of intent for a new hotel at 165 Housatonic Street. The commission also addressed administrative approvals and received updates on upcoming public hearings.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the minutes of May 20, 2026 without edits.
• Ratified administrative approval for removal of a hazard tree at 200 Antelope Drive.

Public Comments & Testimony

• During the discussion of the hotel project, several members of the public spoke. Rebecca Bircher, a neighbor at 189 Housatonic Street, expressed concerns about upstream flooding, the condition of the culvert under Housatonic Street, and potential impacts on wildlife including blue herons and trout in Barnes Brook. She requested a concrete assessment of upstream impacts.
• Another resident questioned the capacity of the stormwater system to handle large volumes of water during heavy storms.
• The applicant's attorney, Jeff Punch, responded that the project would reduce stormwater discharge and improve conditions compared to the current site.

Discussion Items

• Forest Cutting Plan at 258 Washington Mountain Road: The commission reviewed a plan for rotational cuttings on 15 acres. Members noted it is on the property owner's own land and outside any jurisdictional areas. No further action was taken.
• Request for Determination of Applicability, Northeast Trail Works: The item was tabled as a site inspection had not yet been scheduled.
• Continued Certificate of Compliance, DEP File 196-19 (Laurel Lake): The commission voted to continue the item due to inability to contact the applicant's supervisor.
• Notice of Intent for 165 Housatonic Street (Garden Management Hotel): The applicant presented plans to demolish an existing motel and construct a 74-room, 11,577-square-foot hotel further from the stream. Stormwater management included a rain garden, detention basin, and proprietary separators. Commissioners raised questions about floodplain compensation, stormwater attenuation, erosion control, and discrepancies between the narrative and plans. A late email from Mark Stinton with additional comments prompted the commission to seek a peer review.

Key Outcomes

• The commission voted unanimously to hire a peer consultant (Dave Cameron) for a full review of the hotel project, with the applicant required to pay for the review under M.G.L. Chapter 44.
• The hearing on the hotel notice of intent was continued to June 17, 2026, at 7:00 PM.
• The certificate of compliance for Laurel Lake was continued.
• The commission approved the administrative removal of a hazard tree at 200 Antelope Drive.
• Upcoming hearings were noted: Zoning Board of Appeals on June 16 for a floodplain special permit, and Planning Board on June 22 for the same hotel project.