You may have heard that the owners of 37 Interlaken have filed a special permit application. This proposal includes both new development in the front portion and the conversion of 17 acres of forest to farmland in the back portion of the property.
The Town of Stockbridge will avail itself of the option for a peer review of the application, to be paid for by the applicant. We are currently soliciting proposals for such a review. Town Counsel is also reviewing the proposal in the context of the Cottage Era Estate Bylaw as well.
Regarding the forest to farmland conversion, I have asked the Chairs of the Agriculture and Forestry Commission and the Water & Sewer Commission to help the Select Board evaluate this proposal, specifically to ensure that there will be no negative impacts on Lake Averic, the town’s water source. Working in conjunction with our Conservation Commission, which is the regulator that issues stormwater permits, these three commissions will play an important role in evaluating this proposal and helping us condition these uses if necessary to protect our town water supply. These conditions may include specific farming methods, techniques, and processes to minimize any risk the project might pose.
