Conservation Commission Votes to Convene Special Meeting on Stalled Loveless Property Restriction

LENOX — May 26, 2026 — Stockbridge Conservation Commission sets June 30 special meeting to break Loveless property conservation restriction impasse. The commission voted unanimously at its May 26 meeting to convene a special public session with the Stockbridge Land Trust and the Laurel Hill Association after a years-long dispute over parking area language in the draft conservation restriction on the Loveless property on Westdale Road showed no sign of resolving through ordinary meeting appearances and letters. At issue is whether the restriction should include a provision for up to one-quarter acre of parking for future property stewards — a position the Land Trust supports — or limit any parking area to 600 square feet, as the Laurel Hill Properties Committee prefers; the Land Trust's letter, read aloud at the meeting, warned that its withdrawal would cause it to forfeit reimbursement of roughly $100,000 in Community Preservation Committee grants. Commission members described a pattern of shifting rationales from the Land Trust and called for a neutral mediator at the June 30 session. The commission also issued a negative determination for additions to a single-family home at 10A Lake Drive, approved a stormwater permit for 6 Furnace Road, and issued a certificate of compliance for Carol Lang at 8 Sherbrook Street.