Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Senior Housing topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
West Stockbridge to apply for BRPC pre-development grant to study housing at town hall site
Summary
The town voted to seek a Berkshire Regional Planning Commission (BRPC) Community One-Stop for Growth grant to fund a pre-development feasibility study for housing at the town hall site; the grant would fund site and infrastructure analysis, require no town match, and has a June 3 deadline.
West Stockbridge voted to submit a Berkshire Regional Planning Commission Community One-Stop for Growth grant application to fund a pre-development feasibility study for possible housing on the town hall property.
The presenter told the meeting the grant would cover site exploration, environmental and wetlands work, water and sewer connection engineering, architectural schematics and consulting to prepare an RFP so a developer could respond. "Doing this grant application does not commit you to putting housing here," the presenter said, noting the finished pre-development packet would belong to the town. The presenter said the awards run between $100,000 and $150,000, with a minimum of $100,000, and that the application deadline is June 3.
The study is intended to give town officials the information needed to decide whether and how to pursue housing on the site, including how many units could fit, how sewer and water systems would be affected and whether there are environmental constraints. A meeting participant, identified as Ashley, said the feasibility study would provide "all the information that is necessary as far as due diligence is concerned," and the presenter confirmed the materials would allow an "intelligent, informed decision." Participants also discussed site-specific constraints including the property's proximity to the turnpike and retaining green space while maximizing usable area.
A committee member moved to approve submission of the BRPC Community One-Stop for Growth pre-development (feasibility) grant application for the town hall property; another member seconded, and the motion carried on a voice vote. The transcript records the board's approval but does not list a vote tally.
If awarded, BRPC would manage the grant at a low level and produce the pre-development packet the town could use to solicit design and development proposals. The town retains discretion at every step — from choosing consultants to deciding whether to proceed with development after the study is completed.
