BUCKLAND — The Conservation Commission determined that building a three-story, 10-by-10-foot elevator on the north side of the Salmon Falls Marketplace building poses no environmental impact on the Deerfield River. The determination was needed for a building permit under state law, because the building is less than 200 feet from the river. Conservation Commission approval means that building owner Josh Simpson will be able to make the building fully handicap-accessible. For Blue Rock Restaurant patrons, it also means they’ll be able to take an elevator from the back parking lot to the restaurant, rather than walking downstairs.
Because the elevator structure will create a new shaded spot on the property, Simpson was asked to put in about a half-dozen native plants on the grounds, to mitigate it. Consultant William Lattrell pointed out that the planting would appeal to the Department of Environmental Protection — even though the elevator is being built on developed land.
Simpson hopes to build the lift as soon as possible.