PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A proposed cannabis retailer received the local permits needed for a West Street location.
Devin Bajardi and Mark Penna are planning to open Pure Botanicals inside the existing building at 239 West St. The plan is to use 7,000 square feet in the rear of the industrial building for the discrete location of the retail shop. The plan estimates for nine total employees and limited alterations to the property.
"It is more of an industrial use right now," Bajardi told the Zoning Board of Appeals last week.
The particularly noticeable change to the property will be the replacement of a current fence in the rear to provide more privacy and security. The company will also add new lighting and clean out trees in the rear of the property.
The location, however, didn't coast by without some opposition. Housing Authority member Sharon LeBarnes opposes the project for concern that it could jeopardize the federal funding given to the nearby Jubilee Apartment complex.
"I don't want to have to state that our location is near a cannabis center," LeBarnes said. "It is near a development that is important to the Housing Authority."
She added that the development is for families and there are a number of children in the area. She said there will be a significant number of shops opening in the city and questioned whether that location was the best.
"What I worry about is that it is not going to be far from a development that is federally funded," LeBarnes said.
According to Permitting Coordinator Nate Joyner, the playground in the area falls outside of the city's requirements that cannabis shops be at least 500 feet from one. ZBA member Miriam Maduro said there is a liquor store "not too far" from the apartment complex already.
"This is an industrial zone. It seems to meet all of the requirements. It is very difficult to deny something that meets all of the requirements," said ZBA member John Fitzgerald.
In other business, Nexamp has withdrawn its application for a solar array at Pontoosuc Country Club. The Conservation Commission had denied a permit regarding an access road near wetlands and neighbors had fought the project. After the ConCom's denial, the company wanted to take another look at the project in hopes to find a way to make it work but ultimately opted to withdraw the application.
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MassDOT Project Will Affect Traffic Near BMC
By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Prepare for traffic impacts around Berkshire Medical Center through May for a state Department of Transportation project to improve situations and intersections on North Street and First Street.
Because of this, traffic will be reduced to one lane of travel on First Street (U.S. Route 7) and North Street between Burbank Street and Abbott Street from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday through at least May 6.
BMC and Medical Arts Complex parking areas remain open and detours may be in place at certain times. The city will provide additional updates on changes to traffic patterns in the area as construction progresses.
The project has been a few years in the making, with a public hearing dating back to 2021. It aims to increase safety for all modes of transportation and improve intersection operation.
It consists of intersection widening and signalization improvements at First and Tyler streets, the conversion of North Street between Tyler and Stoddard Avenue to serve one-way southbound traffic only, intersection improvements at Charles Street and North Street, intersection improvements at Springside Avenue and North Street, and the construction of a roundabout at the intersection of First Street, North Street, Stoddard Avenue, and the Berkshire Medical Center entrance.
Work also includes the construction of 5-foot bike lanes and 5-foot sidewalks with ADA-compliant curb ramps.
Last year, the City Council approved multiple orders for the state project: five orders of takings for intersection and signal improvements at First Street and North Street.
The total amount identified for permanent and temporary takings is $397,200, with $200,000 allocated by the council and the additional monies coming from carryover Chapter 90 funding. The state Transportation Improvement Plan is paying for the project and the city is responsible for 20 percent of the design cost and rights-of-way takings.
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Because of this, traffic will be reduced to one lane of travel on First Street (U.S. Route 7) and North Street between Burbank Street and Abbott Street from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday through at least May 6.
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