Pittsfield Board Subdivision Approval Not Needed for Housing Project

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. —The Community Development Board determined that subdivision approval is not required for two new residential lots on a 56-acre parcel at West Street and Gale Avenue.

The applicant West Gale LLC intends to build two residential homes on 27 acres of the parcel that has frontage on West Street.  Construction is planned to take up only a small percentage of the properties.

The request states that lots meet proper zoning requirements, with one and two complying with R-43 zoning requirements and the remaining land complying with R-20 zoning requirements.  The two lots are subject to special permit approval, which was granted earlier this year.

In February, the board OKed a special permit to extend Gale Avenue for access to the lots that will each contain a single-family home.  

The next step was to secure environmental permitting, which was granted early this month.

There is no construction proposed in the buffer zones or wetlands and the applicant assured the board that there was a suitable distance between the two when residents expressed concern at the special permit hearing.



"The Division of Fisheries and Wildlife approved the (Massachusettes Endangered Species Act) application and issued an approval letter on October 5, 2022," Land Surveyer James Seidl reported.

The property is located on the north side of Gale Avenue and the south side of West Street adjacent to Berkshire Community College.



 


Tags: community development,   Planning board ,   

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Safety Solutions Proposed for Berkshire Mall Intersection

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — A speed bump and traffic mirror have been proposed at the reportedly problematic intersection of Old State Road and the Berkshire Mall entrance.
 
Last week, abutters approached the Select Board with concerns about drivers ignoring stop signs and speeding through the area. Target owns its building and is the lone business left on the property.   
 
"When you turn into Old State Road, our driveways are right there," Judy Bennett said. "Nobody stops, nobody slows down to come around that corner. They go faster and that's where someone is going to get hurt."
 
Carl Bennett added, "We are taking our lives into our own hands when we pull out during the day."
 
The Old State Road bridge connects the mall and Old State Road to Route 8. Abutter Pauline Hunt would like to see it closed entirely, making the Connector Road the access point from Route 8.
 
"That entrance isn't necessary," she said.
 
"It's chaos. There's an entrance over by the bike path that would serve everybody, there would be no problem, and there are lights at the end of it, it's a dream to get into there. I don't see the reason that chaos is there."
 
View Full Story

More Pittsfield Stories