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Great Barrington trust narrows Risingdale Ballfield RFP scope, favors small infill units and cluster zoning
Summary
At its June 18 meeting the Great Barrington Affordable Housing Trust debated density for the Risingdale Ballfield RFP, agreeing to require residential cluster zoning, at least four units, and design features (green buffers, limited lighting) to fit into the neighborhood while prioritizing one‑ and two‑bedroom units.
Trustees on the Great Barrington Affordable Housing Trust debated how many homes to ask for in an upcoming request for proposals to develop the Risingdale Ballfield site, settling on conditions intended to preserve neighborhood character while producing small affordable units.
Trustee Fred Clark argued for an "infill" approach and recommended roughly 6–8 units arranged as duplexes (three to four residential‑sized buildings). Trustee Bill Cooke said the town's survey showed demand for both rentals and homeownership and suggested a larger range, 8–16 smaller units, to deliver one‑ and two‑bedroom homes for single parents and individuals. Trustee Peter Most said eight to 12 units should be the maximum to allow the market to absorb the new supply; Trustee Joseph Method favored 8–16 units with a common open space. After discussion, trustees agreed to require residential cluster zoning as a condition of the RFP, not to include a subdivision, and to set a minimum of four units.
Neighbors who live near the ballfield raised concerns about density and fit. Anne Tully of 243 Park Street said density will determine whether a project "fits into the neighborhood" or instead takes on its own identity. Donna Jacobs of 260 Park Street pointed out nearby parcels on larger lots and recommended including water‑filtration measures. Resident Jeremy Higa cautioned that a project of this size might be unattractive to rental management companies and that home sales could require significant subsidy, raising questions about long‑term sustainability.
Trustees identified other RFP priorities: green buffers, common open space, careful lighting to protect night‑sky views, and smaller unit types (one or two bedrooms) that could be affordable to households in the roughly $60,000–$70,000 income band the Trust is targeting. Trustee Timpane noted a goal of producing homes with mortgages in the vicinity of $250,000 for one‑ and two‑bedroom units, subject to subsidy and market conditions.
Next steps: the Trust will include the agreed conditions in the Risingdale Ballfield RFP and proceed with outreach. No final density vote beyond the RFP conditions was recorded at the meeting, and trustees said the RFP will specify required zoning and unit minimums for proposers.
