Northampton Conservation Commission Approves Stone Ridge Drive Driveway With Strict Buffer Conditions

NORTHAMPTON -- April 23, 2026, Northampton Conservation Commission approves Stone Ridge Drive driveway order of conditions and restricts two condo pavement projects on wetland buffer grounds. The commission voted unanimously six-to-zero at its April 23 meeting to issue an order of conditions for Sunwood Builders' common driveway at 17 and 39 Stone Ridge Drive, accepting revised plans from Berkshire Design Group's Chris Chamberlain that pushed the driveway farther from the 100-foot wetland buffer, added native tree plantings including bur oak and shagbark hickory, and required biodegradable jute erosion matting on slopes steeper than three-to-one; special conditions include a four-inch driveway curb to redirect sheet flow, large boulders on five-foot centers marking the buffer edge, and a three-year vegetation establishment deadline. The commission also issued a negative determination for a 10-by-24-foot horse shed at 200 Easthampton Road, finding it exempt as a minor riverfront activity. For Hampshire Property Management Group's pavement rehabilitation at Pines Edge condominiums, commissioners led by member Downey refused to permit a proposed drainage pipe or stockpiling within the 50-foot protected zone, citing the Northampton Wetlands Ordinance's mandatory "shall not alter" language, consultant Bucky Sparkle confirmed the pipe would be dropped, while approving all in-footprint paving work five-to-zero. A second Hampshire pavement project at Meadowlands received a five-to-zero negative determination conditioned on stockpiles staying outside the 100-foot buffer and the applicant requesting a long-outstanding certificate of compliance within six months.