Conservation Commission Votes 5-2 to Hold Public Hearing on Berlin Turnpike Parking Plan
Conservation · Meeting of March 2, 2026
Newington's Conservation Commission voted 5-2 to require a public hearing on a parking lot expansion at 2929 Berlin Turnpike, the third application cycle for the contested project. The commission, chaired by Chairman Zellick, found that 33,190 square feet of proposed upland review area disturbance and 2,600 cubic yards of fill, along with near-total clearing of buffer trees along the southwestern boundary, met the threshold for formal public review under town wetlands regulations. Attorney Andrew Morin of Hinkley Allen represented applicant Berlin Turnpike 2929 LLC, and civil engineer Francis Vaca of BSC Group and soil scientist Matthew Gustafson of All Points Technology presented a low-impact stormwater system and wetland mitigation plan they said would produce no direct wetland impacts.
Zellick was unmoved, citing unresolved questions about whether state-listed swamp cottonwood trees may be present on the site and announcing plans to request an independent third-party site review. The public hearing is set for the commission's March 17 meeting.
In the full story:
- The complete report — 838 words
Source: the Conservation meeting of March 2, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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