PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Community Development Board on Tuesday gave its OK for an expansion to the Pittsfield Plastics Engineering Inc. property on West Housatonic Street.

 

Jeffrey Randall of Hill Engineers said the expansion includes two buildings, one for manufacturing space and the other for a warehouse. A total of 9,000 square feet will be added to rear of the property for the storage space while 3,600 square feet will be added out front for manufacturing. The company primarily makes molded spools and cores for packaging stranded objects, such as wire and thread.

 

The property is owned by HWC Realty LLC and the building is currently 64,100 square feet.

 

"We are going to utilize the two entrances there. The utilities that are there will service the two additions," Randall told the Community Development Board.

 

The expansion will eliminate 12 current parking spaces, but Randall said those are being relocated elsewhere on the property with an additional three spaces. The same entrances and exits will be used and there are no plans for new lighting, signage, screening, or landscaping. 

 

The expansion will also comply with the city's storm water regulations. Randall said there could also be work regarding a retaining wall but that hasn't been determined yet.

 

The company employs about 90 people, he said, and there is plenty of loading and unloading space with the expansion. 

 

That was the only item before the Community Development Board on Tuesday. City Planner CJ Hoss, however, said two more applications needing the board's sign off came in that morning. Those "Form A" applications on division of land are straightforward and routine and the board wondered if there is a way to streamline that process rather than calling a special meeting to sign them.

 

"There isn't really anything to deliberate if the Form A meets the requirements," Hoss said.

 

Yet, the form does need the board's sign off, which essentially means the division doesn't fall under the state's subdivision laws. So, the meetings must be called and posted per open meeting law.