Letter: Williamstown Shouldn't Rush Zoning Changes

Letter to the EditorPrint Story | Email Story

To the Editor:

To Members of the Select Board and the Planning Board of Williamstown,

I have been a resident of Williamstown since 1971 and the owner of residential property in town. I am concerned about the process going through your committees to consider zoning changes in this town.

The process is rushing to put these changes in the next warrant articles, to be voted on in the next town meeting. This is unfair to town residents, who need more time to learn about and consider these proposed changes — few residents are even aware of their existence.


Most importantly, the town has hired a consultant for a new comprehensive plan for the town and Berkshire Regional Planning Commission is in the process of conducting a housing needs assessment for Berkshire County. Until these two reports have been completed, it makes no sense to ask us to vote on changes in zoning ordinances.

Thank you for your vigilance in ensuring that we voters get all the information and consultation we need to vote responsibly on proposed zoning changes in Williamstown.

Sincerely,

Tela Zasloff
Williamstown, Mass.

 

 

 


Tags: zoning,   

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

Williamstown Con Comm Recommends Conservation Restriction

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires Staff
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The Conservation Commission on Thursday endorsed a proposed conservation restriction on a 7-acre lot on Luce Road.
 
Owners Bruce and Judy Grinnell of North Adams were before the commission to seek its blessing for a CR to be managed by Williamstown Rural Lands Foundation.
 
The foundation's Dan Gura explained the reasons for the conservation restriction to the commissioners.
 
"This piece of land is largely agricultural," explained Gura, who serves as land protection coordinator at WRLF. "In terms of why we're protecting it, we identified some conservation values: open space protection, high quality soils, habitat connectivity, farmland currently in use and scenic views."
 
The lot in question has been farmed by the Chenail family since 1916, Gura told the commissioners.
 
It also abuts other currently conserved parcels and the Mount Greylock State Reservation managed by the commonwealth's Department of Conservation and Recreation.
 
"The hedge rows along [the Grinnell property] provide corridors that wildlife can use as they migrate through the area," Gura said.
 
View Full Story

More Williamstown Stories