Harwich Conservation Commission Approves Two Conservation Restrictions Covering 20 Acres

HARWICH — May 6, 2026 — Harwich Conservation Commission unanimously backs two conservation restrictions protecting more than 20 acres and orders independent wetlands review for a 31-acre development site. The commission voted 4-0-1 Wednesday to recommend Select Board approval of conservation restrictions on Pine Island, a 2.5-acre parcel at 70 Lothrop Avenue within the Herring River Estuary, and Robbins Pond Woodlands, a 17.75-acre property at 0 and 61 North Westgate Road acquired with Community Preservation Act funds approved at town meeting the previous evening. Kelly Grant, Land Protection Specialist with Harwich Conservation Trust, said both properties lie within priority wildlife habitat. The commission also voted 4-0-1 to approve a Notice of Intent for an 18-by-16-foot addition at 80 Point Road after the applicants agreed to remove an overlook platform and other structures to achieve no net increase within the 50-foot coastal bank setback. For the Queen Anne Road parcels — a 31-acre site proposed for residential development — Conservation Administrator Amy told the board she was "not ready to make a recommendation" on the wetlands delineation and secured a 4-0 vote to commission an independent third-party field review at the applicant's expense, with a draft request for proposals to be reviewed at the May 20 meeting. A certificate of compliance for 18 Old Campground Road was approved with a $1,560 in-lieu fee for 390 square feet of unpermitted patio installed by the original builder.