Belchertown Planning Board Approves ARC Point Pavilion, EDIC Land Transfer in 5-0 Votes

BELCHERTOWN -- April 14, 2026, Belchertown Planning Board unanimously approved a permanent outdoor pavilion for ARC Point Brew Company and endorsed a land transfer to the town's Economic Development and Industrial Corporation at its April 14 meeting. The board voted 5-0 to approve a minor site plan amendment allowing ARC Point owner Dave Pare and building owner Rick Staples to replace a wind-prone rented tent at 30 Front Street with a timber-frame, asphalt-shingled pavilion and concrete music slab, citing section 145-75(E) of the zoning bylaw to reduce the rear setback to 15 feet for customer safety. The board also voted 5-0 to endorse an Approval Not Required plan conveying town-owned back land off Turkey Hill and Forest Roads, Map 255, Lot 121, to the Belchertown EDIC's adjacent parcel for commercial development, with EDIC chair Kirk Stephens describing the assembled land as the last remaining piece of the former state school property and noting it will be marketed to a single developer for three- to ten-acre commercial lots. A 5-0 vote approved the Meeshie Moon Path performance guarantee covenant, corrected on the spot after proponent Jason Lafleur arrived in person, holding 13 lots as security while Lafleur begins development on lots J, K, L, and M. The board also voted 5-0 to recommend that the Zoning Board of Appeals take a favorable disposition on a special permit for a proposed 40-by-50-foot commercial kennel at 13 Stebbins Street for applicant Denise Cook, subject to better documentation of the overnight boarding purpose and a building inspector determination on whether site plan review is also required.