Regional Planning Commission Tackling County Housing IssueBRPC has partnered with countywide organization 1Berkshire to develop a regional housing strategy, a policy that will set the stage for solutions and legislative support. The commission's former director, Nathaniel Karns has agreed to take this project on and help shepherd it through the process. Williamstown CPC Seeks Requests; Big One Is on the WayThe Affordable Housing Trust, which has received CPC funds from town meeting each year since its inception in 2012, decided on Wednesday to this winter submit a request for $175,000 in new funding. Mayor Tyer Reviving 'At Home in Pittsfield' ProgramThe initiative was referred on Tuesday to the subcommittee of Economic and Community Development. Tyer is asking for appropriation of $500,000 from the Pittsfield Economic Development Fund for the residential Exterior Home Improvement Loan Program. Pittsfield Subcommittee Approves Housing TIE AgreementsThe exemptions recommended last week will help developers create market-rate housing on East Street and Tyler Street. Community Preservation Funds Approved for Housing ReliefThe Community Preservation Committee on Monday approved the use of more than $100,000 to help bolster emergency home security funds. North Adams Planners OK High End Union Street HousingThe Planning Board on Monday approved Moresi Commercial Investments' request Monday for a change of use to operate mixed occupancy of commercial and residential use in an I-2 zone at 26 Union St. Soldier On Permanent Women Veterans Housing to Open This WinterSoldier On knows the importance of having a home and with the near completion of the village for women veterans this sentiment will be accessible to all who have served in the military, not just the men. Adams, Economic Officials Explain 40R Housing BylawBut Tuesday's more than two-hour meeting explaining step by step the statute, the definitions, and how a Smart Growth Overlay District would work seemed to tamp down some of the controversy. Pittsfield Councilors Seek New Funding Source For 'At Home' ProgramThe four city councilors who killed the mayor's home improvement program are seeking a resurrection. Councilors Christopher Connell, Melissa Mazzeo, Kevin Morandi, and Anthony Simonelli filed a joint petition calling on the mayor to organize a working group to find a different funding source. The four had voted against the program which eyed to use $250,000 of the General Electric Economic Development Fund to help residents make exterior repairs to their homes. Williamstown Planners Decline to Back Dwelling Bylaw AmendmentWhen the chair opened the meeting to comments from the floor, the discussion turned to the detached accessory dwelling unit bylaw the board developed throughout the 2018-19 meeting cycle. Williamstown Planners Recommend Dwelling Bylaw AmendmentsThe Planning Board has recommended two articles to town meeting that would ask residents to consider zoning amendments that would allow the implementation of detached accessory dwelling units Council Sends Tyer's 'At Home' Program Back For More WorkThe City Council sent Mayor Linda Tyer's proposed home improvement back for further consideration. The mayor had petitioned for $250,000 from the Pittsfield Economic Development Fund to start "At Home In Pittsfield," a program to help residents make exterior home improvements or purchase fixer-uppers and make those improvements. Williamstown Planning Board Advances ADU Bylaw ProposalsOn a vote of 4-1, the planners agreed on a proposal that would create the potential for more detached accessory dwelling units, or ADUs, in the town of 7,800. Old Issues Raised Anew at Williamstown Planning Board ForumAnd most of the public comments in the more than two-hour session at Williamstown Elementary School concerned issues with which the board has been grappling for months. |
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