Commission allows 4th-floor condos

By Claire CoxPrint Story | Email Story
Jason Berger at the commission meeting. (Photo By Claire Cox)
LENOX — Disagreements on the final design for an apartment house under construction on Housatonic Street dominated the Nov. 23 meeting of the reconstituted Lenox Historic District Commission. At issue were the color of the grout for the red-brick condominiums, the design of balconies and, most importantly, whether to sanction the extension of a fourth floor to cover the entire structure, which would make it the second tallest building in town. The commission voted 3 to 2 on those issues, with the majority supporting the request by developer Jason Berger for approval of his designs, and the minority appealing for adherence to traditional features of the Historic District. Berger, a member of the commission, recused himself from the deliberations so he could present his case. In the minority were Suzanne Pelton, participating as a member the Historical Society, and Mark Hubbard, an architect. The majority was made up of Pamela Mackie, commission chairwoman, who also serves on the Planning Board; Ken Fowler, a Realtor, and Lesliejohn Roche, a member of the Historical Society, serving as an alternate in Berger’s place. During discussion, which lasted nearly two hours, Pelton proposed that a false front door be added to the building, which has been designed to have an entrance from a parking lot on one side. “It could look like a door,” Pelton said, “to bring it into line with other historical buildings in town, which if they have fronts on the street would have a door on them, and they all do.” She added that, as an alternative, a flowering shrub might be planted in place of a false door. No action was taken on the door proposal, which was preceded by consideration of Berger’s list of items for review. First came a debate on his request for approval of a change in the building’s original design, which had called for four stories on the back and a roof garden on the front. When it became impossible to blast through ledge to create a basement for utilities and equipment, the design was changed to allow for a full fourth floor to accommodate apartments that had been intended for the first floor. The utilities will be installed there instead. Hubbard suggested the matter be deferred to a meeting attended by “a broader audience of Lenox so it could have an understanding of what we are talking about.” “There is only one four-story building in the village,” he said. “That’s the Curtis [Hotel]. I believe that we represent the town of Lenox, so it’s for all the people in town and it’s for the next 100 years. Are we going to be comfortable with this? Because we can’t undo it once it’s done. It ought to be brought to a separate kind of meeting.” Mackie said, “People have had ample opportunity to become familiar with it. I don’t think having another meeting is needed.” Berger pointed out that in the year since he started through the town approval processes, he has been before the commission several times and before the planning and zoning boards. He said he has received positive comments on his plans, adding, “Never has anyone who attended meetings expressed any concerns. I have received nothing but support from community.” The commission then took its 3 to 2 vote to support the construction of a full fourth floor. Next came the siding, with Berger’s plan to use reddish-brown brick with contrasting grout, either white or gray. There were no questions about the brick, but Hubbard favored using red grout, which he said he had observed on most three-story buildings in the Historic District. Berger, declaring he did not like red grout, added that he was not trying to make his building look identical to other structures. Pelton said, “It would be helpful if the new buildings in town looked like they had always been there. It would be helpful if the building didn’t look like it was built in 2004 but perhaps had been there for a century.” Fowler responded, “We can’t re-create material made 150 years go.” The commission then cast its vote in favor of Berger’s plan for contrasting grout. Hubbard also raised questions about balconies for each of the planned nine apartments, saying that, although the Curtis is the only building that has balconies, those designed for the Berger apartments would not be appropriate for the Historic District. “They are not large balconies,” Berger countered. “They are not for people to use but to allow a barrier when the French doors in the apartments are open. I don’t know if I’d call them balconies.” Hubbard said, “I’d call them balconies.” “They are not part of the windows,” Mackie said. Hubbard responded, “I beg to differ. The openings on the side of the building are part of windows.” Pelton said she was concerned about people using barbecue units on balconies. Fowler wondered what could be done to keep bicycles and barbecues off the balconies. Hubbard moved that the commission approve installation of wrought-iron railings in place of balconies to protect people from falling out, but it failed. The commission then backed Fowler’s motion for acceptance of the balconies in Berger’s plan. In the end, the commission found one feature of the building on which all could agree. The members voted unanimously to eliminate proposed exterior lighting on the upper floors, leaving a plan for first-floor lighting in place.
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Friends of Great Barrington Libraries Holiday Book Sale

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — The Friends of Great Barrington Libraries invite the community to shop their annual Holiday Good-as-New Book Sale, happening now through the end of the year at the Mason Library, 231 Main Street. 
 
With hundreds of curated gently used books to choose from—fiction, nonfiction, children's favorites, gift-quality selections, cookbooks, and more—it's the perfect local stop for holiday gifting.
 
This year's sale is an addition to the Southern Berkshire Chamber of Commerce's Holiday Stroll on this Saturday, Dec. 13, 3–8 PM. Visitors can swing by the Mason Library for early parking, browse the sale until 3:00 PM, then meet Pete the Cat on the front lawn before heading downtown for the Stroll's shopping, music, and festive eats.
 
Can't make the Holiday Stroll? The book sale is open during regular Mason Library hours throughout December.
 
Proceeds support free library programming and events for all ages.
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