 Dalton Residents Petition for Action on Berkshire Concrete DustSeveral hundred residents have petitioned the Planning Board and Board of Health to take action regarding complaints surrounding Berkshire Concrete Corp.  Sweetwood Owner Withdraws Williamstown Zoning RequestFor the second straight year, the owners of the Sweetwood senior living facility have backed off a plan to ask the town's permission to convert some of its units to multifamily housing. North Adams Planners OK Notre Dame Housing, Theater & Veterinary MoveMoresi & Associates is moving forward with housing in the former Notre Dame School and the Williamstown Theatre Festival is planning performances in North Adams. Williamstown Planners Reject Sweet Farm Road WaiversThe Planning Board on Tuesday voted not to grant the waivers needed to allow a request to accept Sweet Farm Road as a public way to go before town meeting in May.  Berkshire Concrete Ceases Work for Controversial Dig SiteAt the advice of town counsel, all work has stopped, and Berkshire Concrete will be required to reapply for this permit under this parcel number.  Williamstown Planners Advance Bylaw Proposals, Discuss Sweet Farm RoadThe Planning Board last week advanced two of its zoning bylaw proposals to keep them on track for inclusion on the annual town meeting warrant. Grazie, Valentine's Event Gain Planning, Licensing OKGrazie Ristorante was approved this week for its new location on State Street and for its alcohol license, and another eatery got the OK to serve wine and beer for a Valentine's Day dinner. Williamstown Planners Give Final OK for Habitat SubdivisionThe long road to getting a short road approved by the town came to a successful end for Northern Berkshire Habitat for Humanity on Tuesday night. Williamstown Planners Seek Input from Airbnb ProprietorsWhat the board members want is feedback from residents who already rent their homes on services like Airbnb or Vrbo.  North Adams Planners Gives Thumbs Up to Food Pantry RelocationThe Al Nelson Friendship Center Food Pantry is moving into the former Aubuchon Hardware site on Union Street, tripling its space.  Williamstown Planning Board Reduces Parking Lot for Art MuseumWilliams College will be back before the Zoning Board of Appeals on Thursday for a development plan review for the school's planned art museum at the Field Park rotary. Dalton Planning Board Approves Draft of Updated Variance and Special Permit ApplicationThe Planning Board approved a draft of the updated variance and special permit application during its meeting on Wednesday. Dalton Planners Question Need for Cannabis RequirementsThe Planning Board last week questioned whether the state is requiring the town to adjust its cannabis bylaws if dispensaries, medical or retailer, and cultivation centers are only permitted by special permit. North Adams Planners OK 10 Short-Term RentalsThe Planning Board approved 10 special permits for short-term rentals during a brief meeting on Monday night.  North Adams Planners OK Starbucks Development on Problem CornerThe Planning Board on Monday approved a multi-tenant redevelopment of the former St. Francis property that will include a long-rumored Starbucks. Dalton Planning Board Works to Update Special Permit FeesThe Planning Board is navigating how to update its special permit fees to bring them up to date with the current costs of services. Williamstown Planners OK Preliminary Habitat PlanThe Planning Board on Tuesday agreed in principle to most of the waivers sought by Northern Berkshire Habitat for Humanity to build five homes on a Summer Street parcel.  Summer Street Residents Make Case to Williamstown Planning BoardNeighbors of a proposed subdivision off Summer Street last week asked the Planning Board to take a critical look at the project, which the residents say is out of scale to the neighborhood. Williamstown Planning Board Chair to Fin Comm: We're Not the 'Enemy'The chair of the Planning Board last week stopped by a meeting of the Finance Committee to defend the planners' recent activities to promote economic diversity and growth in town.  North Adams Planners Reject Setback Waiver for Cannabis OperationThe Planning Board on Monday unanimously shot down a setback waiver request for a cannabis dispensary on River Street across the street from the UNO Community Center.  Dalton Planners Explore Tiny Home Amendment to ADU BylawDuring the board's meeting in February, Tiny Home Industry Association President Dan Fitzpatrick joined the meeting via Zoom to give a presentation on tiny homes.  Williamstown Planners Balk at Sweetwood Zoning ProposalThe Planning Board last week encouraged the owner of the Sweetwood Independent Living Community to take another stab at a proposed bylaw amendment that would allow for multifamily housing at the Cold Spring Road facility. Deliberations for Ray Robert Excavation & Trucking Special Permit Set for Dec.The fate of Ray Robert Excavation & Trucking's request for a new special permit remains unclear.  Williamstown Planners Told to Consider Townwide MeasuresThe cottage court bylaw, which the board is aiming to bring to town meeting in May, would allow up to 12 free-standing dwelling units per acre in the town's General Residence zoning district.  North Adams Planners Put Off Decisions on Dispensary, 'Glamp' SiteThe Planning Board on Monday put off deciding on two special permit applications that proponents say will add jobs and contribute to the city's tax base. |
