GREENFIELD — Following a lengthy discussion Tuesday evening, members of the Conservation Commission voted to continue a discussion on a proposed construction project at Valley Steel Stamp that would require the relocation of a stream.

The proposed project includes the construction of a 12,700-square-foot addition to connect two existing buildings; the construction of a new parking area with 58 spaces, as well as the expansion of the existing parking area; and improvements to the loading dock area. It also proposes the construction of a wetland mitigation area at the rear of the easterly building.

“If you drive by our building right now, it’s kind of a mess,” Valley Steel Stamp President Steve Capshaw told commissioners. “There’s nowhere to park, particularly at shift changes. We were able to acquire the land behind us, where the proposed parking lot is. It’s a lot of wetlands, but there’s usable space out front there. We thought it would be really attractive to be able to continue to expand employment by being able to park in the area.”

In 2008, he noted, there were 28 employees compared to today’s 205 employees.

Valley Steel Stamp has been at the 15 Greenfield St. location since 2008, according to Capshaw. Renovations were done that year and a new building was constructed in 2018.

Commissioners, however, had some concerns about aspects of the plan that require the relocation of a stream and replication of the wetland area. Commissioner Christin McDonough sought additional information on the impact on the resource area.

Consideration was given to the fact that the Interstate 91 Industrial Park is already an “impacted zone.” The proposal itself notes all work is within previously or currently disturbed or developed areas.

“It does make sense … it would be in the industrial park, but we do have standards and regulations, and we can’t set a precedent for the next applicant,” said McDonough, who was seeking clarification on how the project would comply with the Wetlands Protection Act.

Community and Economic Development Director MJ Adams emphasized there is “time sensitivity” to the Conservation Commission moving the process forward.

“Valley Steel Stamp is busting at the seams,” Adams said. “It’s great they have three shifts going and great-paying jobs. … We want them to be able to move forward to get the approvals they need to make the modifications they need.”

While the manufacturing company has been looking at alternative sites, including on the French King Highway and Butternut Street, Adams said “those are a couple years off.” In recent months, Capshaw has advocated for expanding the industrial park, which failed to receive City Council support in December 2022.

Commissioner Fletcher Harrington, who served as chair in the absence of Chair Travis Drury and Vice Chair Rachel Lindsay, expressed similar hesitation to McDonough. Harrington said he would be interested in getting an outside consultant to review the plans.

“We understand the urgent nature of the project and this is an impacted area, but it’s also a very big project and there are significant impacts,” Harrington said.

Ultimately, the Conservation Commission voted to continue the discussion to the Feb. 28 meeting, pending a request for an estimate to get a third-party review.

In other business, commissioners issued a negative determination — which means they do not think this project will alter a resource area — on an addition at Summit Ice Inc. at 139 Silvio O. Conte Drive, which is proposed in the back parking lot of the building.

Reporter Mary Byrne can be reached at mbyrne@recorder.com or 413-930-4429. Twitter: @MaryEByrne.

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