PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The conservation commission on Thursday OKed a West Housatonic Street demolition and issued several certificates of compliance.

 

The panel issued a negative determination on a request for determination of applicability for the demolition of a commercial building at 108 West Housatonic Street, which is in a riverfront area associated with the west branch of the Housatonic River.

 

Jeff Randall from Hill Engineers explained that the parcel was purchased in June for redevelopment.

 

"Basically the applicant is looking to demolish this building, it's in pretty tough shape," he said. "Basically tear the building down, take the foundation walls out, fill the cellar hole back in with gravel, compact it, and leave it and that's it for the time being."

 

Randall explained that the street has a moratorium on the building through the end of the year but the utilities have been terminated.  There are plans to redevelop the site and the applicant plans to come back to the commission in the wintertime with a plan.

 

The site is between the Hot Dog Ranch and Oasis Hair Design.  The remaining 4,600-square-foot building was formerly Pittsfield Small Engine Repair.

 

Conservation Agent Robert Van Der Kar said that it was a great RDA application.

 

The negative determination was issued with the conditions that the contractor adheres to the special conditions identified in the mitigating measures section of the RDA and that all debris is to be removed from the site and disposed of properly.

 

A COC was issued to the Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game's Office of Fishing and Boating Access for improvements to the boat ramp and boarding floats on Pontoosuc Lake.

 

Concrete work was substantially completed at the end of 2022 and the new seasonal boarding float system was installed in May.

 

Van Der Kar said this was "right on" with the plans.

 

"This was for just modifications to the public boat ramp up at Pontoosuc Lake just for easier access onto the boats," he said.

 

A COC was also issued to the city for work done at Westside Riverway Park on Dewey Avenue.  The commission applauded the project, which includes a pavilion and several other park elements at the space located on the west branch of the Housatonic River.

 

The park has been operating with the new infrastructure for some time and also has a boat launch onto the river.

 

"This came out fantastic.  This is a great city project," Van Der Kar said, urging commission members to check it out.

 

An RDA for the redevelopment of the Taconic High School track was continued due to needed adjustments to the wetland boundary.

 

The work includes reconstruction of the rubberized 1.4-mile running track and re-organized field features to better respond to sports needs.  Included in the city's capital improvement plan for 2024-2028 is $1 million for the project.