North Adams Planners Delay Club, Fine Auto Sales
.jpg) Planners told Tim Dunne and Robert Donnelly they were in favor of a motorcycle clubhouse, but not until building owner Charles 'Rusty' Ransford, left, fulfilled some conditions. |
The Dopplegangers motorcycle club was forced to put the brakes on opening a clubhouse at 76 Union St. when planners took building owner Charles "Rusty" Ransford to task for failing to take care of issues from years ago.
"I've lost faith in the landlord's ability to follow through on anything he says to this committee," said Planner Donald Keagan.
Board members evinced sympathy for club members but voted unanimously to continue its hearing until January for a special permit until Ransford submitted a plan for parking and removed a storage trailer ordered off the lot
The location was formerly the Crystal Hard Hat; Ransford and another man had attempted earlier this year to open it as a package store under the name of the former "Pops" but planners raised similar concerns over parking and conditions.
Robert Donnelly and Tim Dunne, speaking on behalf of the club, said the 15-member club was private and limited to owners of Harley-Davidsons and Indian motorcycles. Crystal Hard Hat had given them a room to meet in but most of their members don't drink, said Donnelly.
"We are not trying to open up a party place, we are just trying to get a place for ourselves that we can go and meet," said Dunne.
"We do a lot of benefits, most of our benefits had to be out of town because we don't have a place in town to plan benefits other than the local taverns," said Donnelly. "We don't really want to be associated with bars."
The two said they were experienced in contracting and painting and had already done a lot of work inside and were willing to paint the entire front of the building and other work the board may require.
Chairman Michael Leary asked Ransford for a written time frame of when the trailer would be removed, when the parking lot would be fixed and when exterior painting and improvements would occur along with a map of the allowed parking spaces.
 Planner Paul Hopkins asks about parking at a proposed garage on River Street. |
Ransford promised to get rid of the trailer and submit the documentation.
Planners sent Mohawk Auto Sales at 1519 Curran Highway to enforcement for continuing to have more cars on the property than the 40 or so allowed. Planner Joseph Gniadek of the Compliance Committee said he and Planner Paul Senecal, who was not in attendance, had counted some 30 vehicles in the back behind a fence and another 25 in front.
Building Inspector William Meranti said he had toted up some 60 cars earlier in the day and also noted a "sawmill" operation was apparently being run out of the garage in violation of the permit. The owner of the business was not in attendance; he could face fines of $100 a day.
In other business:
► The board approved a special permit for William J. Gardner Sr. to operate an automotive repair shop at 54 River St. with the condition the owner of the building contact the inspector about the need to pave or hardscape the parking area.
► Approved a special permit to operate a bakery and cafe at Berkshire Emporium & Antiques at 57 Main St. Store owner Keith Bona said Luma's Muffins 'n' Mug will offer "plain coffee" and homemade pastries and baked goods. "We'll leave the espresso to Brewhaha," he said. The cafe will be operated by Nicole Maloney as a separate venture inside the store. The board also approved outside seating and a preliminary sign. ► Filed a letter from Brian Flagg and Steven Melito informing that they would be starting
Correction 8:43 a.m., Dec. 16: Northern Berkshire News is not an online newsite.
Tags: cafe, clubhouse, coffeeshop, Ransford,
