PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Community Development Board approved a site plan from Berkshire Kind, which plans to cultivate marijuana in the William Stanley Business Park.
The board was happy Tuesday with some of the changes Berkshire Kind made to its proposed 20,000 square foot indoor cultivation building and blessed the site plan.
"This is a big step forward because in the beginning it looked like a big garage," Chairwoman Sheila Irvin said. "We look forward to a little more detail."
Brothers Philip and Jeremy Silverman, owners of Berkshire Kind, executed an agreement with the Pittsfield Economic Development Authority (PEDA) in the fall of 2019. They plan to occupy site 4 in the park, right across the street from the Berkshire Innovation Center.
The brothers plan to invest $2.8 million to $2.9 million in the 1.5 acre site that would accommodate 5,000 to 6,000 square feet of canopy in the 20,000 square-foot building that would double in later phases of the project.
The design that Darrin Harris of Hill Engineering presented to the board was altered from the original to make the building look less boxy.
"We submitted some plans and we got some feedback so we dressed up the building a little bit," Harris said. "We will say the site is very difficult to see ... but it was still a pretty plain building."
Harris said false windows, brick, and canopies were added.
The board felt the changes were a huge improvement.
There was some discussion over the color of the building with board members advocating for a darker tone that would help the building blend in — perhaps matching the Berkshire Innovation Center.
"It is much better than what was in the plan," board member Elizabeth Herland said. "It is a long building and I understand a lot won't be visible but you still will be able to see it. When you drive north on Woodlawn [Avenue] you are going to see this big long building."
Jeremy Silverman, who plans to move to the area to oversee the business, said they are willing to use any color the city wants as long as it complies with the William Stanley Park standards.
"We are open to whatever," he said. "Color to us is irrelevant."
Other than the aesthetics, Harris said they meet all other zoning standards and have met with the building department and Fire Department. Hill Engineer Jeff Randall added that there will be 12 parking spaces and the parking lot and facility entrance will be relined and cleaned up.
"We will do it because it is kind of all over the place with all of these lines that don't go anywhere," he said.
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Dalton Town Hall Lift Solutions in Development
By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
DALTON, Mass. — Solutions are being sought for the lift in Town Hall that has been out of service since December because of safety concerns.
Building Grounds Superintendent Jeff Burch told the Americans with Disabilities Act Committee meeting on Tuesday night that Hill Engineering has been contracted to come up with a potential option.
The lift is in the police station and the only other lift for the town hall is in the library, which is not accessible after library hours.
Previous attempts by Garaventa Lift to repair it have been unsuccessful.
Replacing it in the same location is not an option because the new weight limit requirement went from 400 pounds to 650 pounds. Determining whether the current railings can hold 650 pounds is outside the scope of Garaventa's services to the town.
The first option Hill has proposed is to install a vertical lift in a storage closet to the left of the police entrance, which would go up into the town account's office.
A member of the committee expressed concern that the current office location may not be suitable as it could hinder access to the police station during construction.
Albert Ingegni III was applauded for four decades of service on the Zoning Board of Appeals during City Council. Mayor Peter Marchetti presented him with a certificate of thanks for his commitment to the community.
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Between disagreements about site design and a formal funding process not yet established, more time is needed before a decision can be made.
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The Ordinances and Rules subcommittee on Monday unanimously supported a pay raise for election workers, free downtown parking for veterans, and safeguards to better protect wetlands.
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A parking study of North Street will be presented at Tuesday's City Council meeting. The design maintains parallel parking while expanding pedestrian zones and adding protected bike lanes. click for more