Jim Scalise, of SK Design, outlined the plans to the Community Development Board Tuesday night.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Big Y is looking to build a gas station in the rear of its West Street grocery store.
The company was given site-plan approval from the Community Development Board on Tuesday and will have to receive City Council approval later for a special permit.
The plan is to install a half-dozen gas pumps and a small store on land that formerly housed the Goodwill store.
"What we're proposing is a 1,500-square-foot, generally square 40-by-40 building and a canopy with six fuel pumps, which will allow for 12 pump stations which is orientated perpendicular or sidewise to the street," said engineer James Scalise of SK Design, who is working for Big Y.
The site is currently vacant and owned by Big Y. The parcel is in commercial zoning but because it proposes to be a gas station needs additional permitting. Additionally, the city's decision to add an arts overlay in the area also requires a special permit. After seeking and receiving the site plan review Tuesday night, Scalise says he expects to return in the coming months through the special permitting process.
"The site plan include coolers, a bakery case, a beverage case, a couple of restrooms and a transaction space," Scalise said. "All of that is detailed in the plans."
Scalise ran through some aspects of the site plan with the Community Development Board, including parking, access, water runoff and lighting.
The site already has two curb cuts for access and the only change would be the west curb cut would be shifted slightly, he said. A sidewalk would be improved and maintained with the project. The supermarket just added parking recently but will add 11 spaces for the convenience store.
"There is parking on the Big Y parcel. There is six spaces here and we've got 11 spaces directly adjacent to the building. We've got parking under the canopy that would typically be used for the convenience store," Scalise said, pointing to various places on the site map. "We'll maintain the existing parking and add the parking required for this use."
Scalise said the parcel is too small for much landscaping but there would be some low planting to screen the loading area at the supermarket.
Auto Zone is preparing to tear down the former Pizza Hut on Dalton Avenue and build an auto parts store.
The lighting was a "tricky" part of the proposal, Scalise said.
The area is currently dark for pedestrians so Scalise wanted to light the area well while containing the light to just that area.
The plan will call for an additional street light that the company will "gift" to the city.
Scalise said the signage is still "fluid" but it will include a monument sign with the gas prices. There will also be Big Y Express signs. Stormwater also has additional filtration because it is a gas station and the plans conform to water runoff standards.
"We really met the criteria of collection, treatment and containment," he said.
On the other side of the city, Auto Zone has filed an application to demolish the former Pizza Hut in Allendale and build a store. That was expected to go to the Community Development Board on Tuesday but was continued until next month.
According to City Planner C.J. Hoss, the company requested a continuance so it can address concerns brought by neighbors.
Auto Zone needs a special permit to be freed from parking requirements. The former Pizza Hut is adjacent to a large shopping plaza.
On Tyler Street, the Community Development Board approved exempting La Fogata from the parking requirements as it expands. The restaurant is looking to add about 14 seats.
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Dalton Fire District Votes OK All Articles, Return Incumbents
By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
Fire Chief Christian Tobin explains the Fire Department budget at Tuesday's annual district meeting.
DALTON, Mass. — Voters approved all 22 articles on the warrant unanimously at the annual Fire District meeting on Tuesday night at the Stationery Factory.
Approximately 75 voters attended the meeting, which lasted a little more than a half hour, to vote on the proposed $3,524,680 budget for fiscal year 2025.
The Fire District and town are two separate governing bodies. The Fire and Water departments are the Fire District's responsibility. The Board of Water Commissioners and the Prudential Committee govern the district.
A number of the budget hikes are caused by increases outside the district's control, specifically insurance, Water Commission Chair James Driscoll said during the meeting.
Ambulance and fire proposed a combined budget of $1,873,608, up approximately $360,000. The department's increase is related to competitive wages and stipends, and personnel, all of which aim to improve the district's Property Protection Classification.
In addition to that, just like the other department's in the district, insurance hikes contributed to the increases.
Article 9 raised $370,560 to pay the principal and interest on several district loans.
Voters approved all 22 articles on the warrant unanimously at the annual Fire District meeting on Tuesday night at the Stationery Factory.
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More than 800 residents cast their votes during Monday's town elections, resulting in Select Board incumbent Robert Bishop retaining his seat. click for more
The steps of City Hall were lined with 56 pairs of children's shoes on Friday, representing the average number of children with confirmed abuse and neglect cases each month in the county. The Children's Trust and Child Care of the Berkshires coordinate this shocking visual yearly.
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DPI held its annual meeting at the Berkshire Museum on Thursday, touting the 17 businesses welcomed to the downtown in 2023 and six so far this year.
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