Pittsfield Board Subdivision Approval Not Needed for Housing Project

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
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PITTSFIELD, Mass. —The Community Development Board determined that subdivision approval is not required for two new residential lots on a 56-acre parcel at West Street and Gale Avenue.

The applicant West Gale LLC intends to build two residential homes on 27 acres of the parcel that has frontage on West Street.  Construction is planned to take up only a small percentage of the properties.

The request states that lots meet proper zoning requirements, with one and two complying with R-43 zoning requirements and the remaining land complying with R-20 zoning requirements.  The two lots are subject to special permit approval, which was granted earlier this year.

In February, the board OKed a special permit to extend Gale Avenue for access to the lots that will each contain a single-family home.  

The next step was to secure environmental permitting, which was granted early this month.

There is no construction proposed in the buffer zones or wetlands and the applicant assured the board that there was a suitable distance between the two when residents expressed concern at the special permit hearing.



"The Division of Fisheries and Wildlife approved the (Massachusettes Endangered Species Act) application and issued an approval letter on October 5, 2022," Land Surveyer James Seidl reported.

The property is located on the north side of Gale Avenue and the south side of West Street adjacent to Berkshire Community College.



 


Tags: community development,   Planning board ,   

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Pittsfield Signs Negotiating Rights Agreement With Suns Baseball Team

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Suns will call Wahconah Park home again. 

On Tuesday, the Parks Commission accepted a negotiating rights agreement between the city and longtime summer collegiate baseball team, the Pittsfield Suns. It solidifies that the two will work together when the historic ballpark is renovated. 

It remains in effect until the end of 2027, or when a license or lease agreement is signed. Terms will be automatically extended to the end of 2028 if it appears the facility won't be complete by then. 

"It certainly looks like it lays out kind of both what the Suns and Pittsfield would like to see over the next year or so during this construction plan, to be able to work together and work exclusively with each other in this time," Commissioner Anthony DeMartino said. 

Owner Jeff Goldklang, joining virtually, said he shared those thoughts, and the team looks forward to starting negotiations. After this approval, it will need a signature from Mayor Peter Marchetti and the baseball team. 

The negotiating rights agreement recognizes the long-standing relationship between Pittsfield and the team dating back to 2012, and the Suns' ownership group's historical ties to Wahconah Park and the city dating to the 1980s. The team skipped the 2024 and 2025 seasons after the historic grandstand was deemed unsafe in 2022.  

The Suns were granted the exclusive right to negotiate in good faith with the city for a license or lease agreement where the Suns will be the primary tenant. During the terms of the agreement, the city can't negotiate or enter into an agreement with another party for leniency, licensing, or operation of Wahconah Park for professional or collegiate summer baseball. 

"The Parties acknowledge the historic and cultural importance of Wahconah park to the residents of Berkshire County and share a mutual goal of providing community access, engagement, and programming on a broad and inclusive scale," it reads. 

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