Town of Lenox
Planning Board
September 13, 2011
Land Use Meeting Room
Members present: Chair Joseph A. Kellogg, JK; Vice Chair Steve Sample, SS; Gary Schiff, GS; Kate McNulty-Vaughan, KMV; and Mark S. Smith, MS.
Staff present: Mary Albertson, Town Planner, MA
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 pm. ~
Approval Not Required Plans: John Campetti., Foresight Land Services, Inc., presented a Form A for Lois Sykes, for property located at West Mountain Road. It was noted that this is a Land Court Parcel. SS made a motion to endorse the Form A as presented. GS seconded the motion and the Board voted 5-0 to approve.
Planning Board Recommendations: Jeff Curley, W/S Development Associates, was present and made a brief presentation regarding proposed modifications to the previously reviewed and approved Zoning Board of Appeals permits for The Center at Lenox, located at 489 Pittsfield Road. Mr. Curley said the overall floor area for the project will be reduced by approximately 6,500 square feet and the parking area will be reconfigured. The empty portion of the building containing the existing Marshall’s store will be demolished with a new 56,000 square foot stand alone building constructed to house a department store. The former Price Chopper building will be demolished and a smaller building will be constructed to house potential small store tenants, yet to be identified. The storm-water
management plan remains the same and there are no proposed modifications to the originally approved sign package. Discussion ensued regarding the parking area. MS made a motion to recommend approval of the requested modifications to the Zoning Board of Appeals. KMV seconded the motion and the Board voted 5-0 to approve.
Economic Development Planning Efforts: JK noted that the Town Manager and Selectmen have been advised of our request that the existing Economic Development Action Plan Steering Committee be renamed prior to the Board beginning work on the preparation of an Economic Development Plan. This request was made to avoid confusion between the Committee’s focus on marketing and the more comprehensive approach to be contained in the Plan.
Cul-de-sac Planting Areas: MA said there was nothing new to report.
Sign Bylaw Revisions: It was noted that the Board of Selectmen had an extensive discussion at their August 31st meeting regarding the need to revise the sign bylaw. Members discussed the scope of potential revisions and agreed that while there should be several public participation sessions, there is no need for a separate committee to study the issue. It was agreed to initially focus on the village district, but eventually include a review of signs in the entire town.
Sawmill Brook: JK provided a brief report on the work of the Sawmill Brook Ad Hoc Selection Committee created to review proposals to develop the Bartoni property for affordable housing and make a recommendation to the Board of Selectmen on which developer should be designated. He said the Town received only one proposal, from the Community Development Corporation of South Berkshire. He noted that the Committee held a good discussion of the issues associated with the project and eventually voted 4-1 to recommend that the Community Development Corporation of South Berkshire be named as the designated developer. JK said he voted against the designation because he thought the process was rushed and noted that the developer’s pro
forma included an additional $300,000 in CPA funds as well as $400,000 in fee waivers for sewer connections and building permits for which approvals may or may not be granted. JK noted that the voters will still have the final say as the sale of the land to the Community Development Corporation of South Berkshire will require future Town Meeting approval. KMV asked for the opportunity to discuss the positive elements of the project, explaining that the project will create affordable housing units and that the Town will control the development of the project. She stressed the fact that the Community Preservation Committee initiated the idea of purchasing of the property and she believes the project has been well vetted and will be a positive addition to the community.
Review Correspondence: JK noted the Board has received a flyer for the BRPC Annual Dinner on September 22, 2011 and asked members to contact MA by September 15 if they wish to attend. Decisions and notices of public hearings from abutting communities were also reviewed.
Minutes: KMV made a motion to approve the minutes of August 9, 2011. ~MS seconded the motion and the Board voted 5-0 to approve.
Other Business:
MA recognized Lucy Kennedy who was in the audience and noted that she has volunteered to assist the Board with the Economic Development Plan. Members thanked her for her interest and explained the timeline for the project.
KMV asked about the status of the Route 7/20 Corridor Study recommendation for a combined Lenox/Pittsfield zoning overlay district. MA will send a letter to the Pittsfield Community Development Board advising that we are still interested in working together on this project.
KMV made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:20 pm. ~SS seconded the motion and the Board voted 5-0 to approve.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Albertson
| 
