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August 5, 2004

Present:  Plain School Task Force (Cris Irsfeld, George Shippey, Jorja Marsden, Jack Spencer, Joe Kellogg, Laurie Norton Moffatt, David McCarthy, and Eva Sheridan)
The committee interviewed three architectural firms - Caolo & Bieniek, Hill Engineers and Alderman & MacNeish.  The committee chose Alderman & MacNeish to do the architectural analysis of the Plain School.
A true copy, ATTEST:

August 9, 2004

Present:  Cris Irsfeld, Deb McMenamy, George E. Shippey, Mark Brauer-Tom Flynn- and Chuck Regulbuto-Nextel Communications, Mrs. L. Dienes, Joyce Hovey, Anne Klein, Keith Coppins-Site Acquisitions, Inc., Len Schiller, Ethan Kelley-Berkshire Record, Arnie and Serena Sher, Pam Sandler, Joseph Forfa, Joseph Newberg and Alice Melnikoff, William C. G. Ortel, Marshall White, Daniel Schwartz, Jeremey Crowls-CTSB, Ethan Kelly-Berkshire Record, and Jorja Marsden

Cris opened the meeting by reading the legal notice for the special permit application for Christina Alsop, 8 Yale Hill Road.  Ms. Alsop wishes to change, alter and reconstruct a pre-existing, nonconforming structure, a two story historic mill building, to a mixed use containing a permitted two-room apartment and three bed and breakfast inn rooms in the mill building; bed and breakfast owner occupied residence containing two rooms for a total of a five room bed and breakfast.  The applicant's property is located in the R-C  zone and contains 1.6 acres with 244.5 feet of frontage on the east side of Yale Hill Road.  Application is made under 6.1.2.  Attorney Philip Heller representing Ms. Alsop asked the Board to continue the hearing as a result of the Planning Board meeting where the abutters comments were against the application.  The Applicant would like to work with the neighbors and request the continuance to review the issues raised at the Planning Board meeting. Attorney Heller requested a continuance until August 23.  The Board agreed. 
 
Cris opened the Nextel hearings for 24 West Stockbridge Road and 30 East Street.  The legal notices for both were read.  Mr. Thomas Flynn suggested that the hearings be opened together so as to give joint information as the information would be redundant.  
Nextel wishes to extend the existing tower at 24 West Stockbridge Road to 15 feet, install 6 dupole antennas in three sectors clamped to the monopole and construct a 12 foot by 20 foot shelter adjacent to the tower.  Application is made under 6.25 of the Zoning Bylaws.  The property is in an R4 zone.  At the 30 East Street site, Nextel wishes to construct a new 155 foot telecommunications tower disguised as a flagpole next to the existing tower with 3 dupole antennas in three sectors within the flagpole.  This antenna configuration will be located at the 155 centerline level of the pole.  Nextel's equipment will be located in a 12 foot by 20 foot shelter adjacent to the tower specifically for Nextel's use.  Cables from each antenna will run down the inside of the tower and across cable trays to the shelter where Nextel's radio equipment will be located.  The proposed facility will comply with all State and local building codes.  Application is made under 6.25 of the Zoning Bylaws.  The property is in an R1 zone.  Cris read the favorable recommendation from the Planning Board for both locations. 
Mr. Flynn explained that by these applications Nextel would have coverage that would extend along the Turnpike, Routes 7, 8 and 102.  Mr. Flynn explained that on the existing towers if Nextel was to place their antennas at the space available, there would still be a gap in coverage.  He continued to state that the present carriers had taken extra spots on the towers, therefore the lower sections would not work for them.  Mr. Flynn presented coverage possibilities from the balloon test that was done.  A question was raised as to what height the tower would work if not at 155 feet at the 30 East Street Site.  Mr. Flynn stated that the proposed new tower with the topography of the land would actually be the same height as the existing tower.  The reply from the applicant was that the minimum would be 150 feet but that would contain areas that would not be covered.  However, with another tower, Nextel would have the coverage and would have space for other carriers.  Dr. Daniel Schwartz, resident at Manitauk Heights asked if Verizon were to come and request coverage would there be enough space for them or would there need to be a 3rd tower!  Mr. Flynn stated that he really could only answer to the needs of Nextel.  Mr. Flynn also stated that it was hard for companies to use flag poles.  The Town's Consultant, David Maxson, asked very technical questions.  A motion was made by Deb to continue the hearing until September 7 so as to have Nextel answer the questions and gather more information for the Consultant, seconded by George.  The vote to continue until September 7 was unanimous.
Cris opened the hearing with the reading of the legal notice.  Rabbi and Mrs. Arnold Sher request 
to extend and alter a dwelling by constructing three additions, 2 one-story additions and 1 second-story addition on an existing structure. The footprint of the dwelling will increase from 3.14% to 3.59% and the total footprint for the property, including an existing shed, will be 3.78%, significantly below the 15% allowed under the bylaw.  The combined floor area of all buildings and structures on the lot will increase from 1,732 square feet to 2,645 square feet, which will increase the ratio of combined floor area to the lot to 5.07%, significantly below the 20% maximum lot coverage of the bylaw.  The property is in an R-4.  Both the property and structure are pre-existing and nonconforming as to minimum lot size, minimum lot footage and minimum setback on the west and rear sidelines.  Application is made under 6.1.2.  

The Planning Board voted to recommend approval of the 6.1.2 special permit because the application appears to meet the standards of the bylaws, providing there is no abutter objection.
The Conservation Commission has issued an Order of Conditions.  Attorney Philip Heller introduced the Shers, and Pam Sandler, Architect.  Attorney Heller described the dimensional requirements and the proposed dimensional setbacks after the proposed changes.  The property is enclosed with woodlands on all sides.  

Cris was concerned with the plans drawn by Pam Sandler as the cantilever appeared to be extending over the setback, and wanted to make sure that this did not happen.  He explained to Pam that it had happened before and it was a problem and did not want this to happen again.  Pam assured the Board that the cantilever would not extend into the setbacks.

Rabbi Sher explained that he purchased the property in 1981, and had always made plans to make this his permanent residence.  He had gone to Williams College and has always loved the Berkshires.

The special permit granting authority found the proposed use:  a.	The application is in compliance with all provisions and requirements of this Bylaw, and in harmony with its general intent and purpose;  b.  The application is for a private residence, therefore not detrimental to the public convenience or welfare at the proposed location;  	c.  The application will not be detrimental to adjacent uses or to the established or future character of the neighborhood;  d.  The application will not create undue traffic congestion or unduly impair pedestrian safety;  e. The application will not overload any public water as the property has a well, drainage, or sewer system as the property will be connected to the municipal sewer or any other municipal facility to such an extent that the proposed use of any existing use in the immediate area or in any other area of the town will be unduly subjected to the hazards affecting public health, safety or general welfare.

Deb made the motion to approve the application as presented, and George seconded the motion.  The vote was unanimous.  

Cris opened the public hearing for Joseph Newberg and Alice Melnikoff by reading the legal notice which appeared in the Berkshire Eagle on July 19 and 27, 2004.  The applicants wish to reconstruct a pre-existing, nonconforming structure, a single-family dwelling, by demolishing the single-family dwelling and constructing a new single-family dwelling on the approximate footprint.  The property contains 18,000 square feet with 150 feet of frontage on Mahkeenac Heights Road.  The proposed new dwelling's setbacks will not be more nonconforming on the north and rear (east) than those of the existing dwelling.  The new dwelling will contain four bedrooms and three and one-half baths.  The dwelling will have a height of 34'-3" an increase of 18'-3" from the existing dwelling which is 16 feet high.  The existing lot coverage is 9.2% and will increase to 9.8%.  The ratio of combined floor area of building on the lot will be 15%.  The property is located in the R-4 zone.  Application is made under 6.1.2.  The Planning Board voted to recommend approval of the application under Section 6.1.2 as submitted.  The Conservation Commission has issued a Determination of Applicability.  Attorney Philip Heller spoke regarding the dimensional requirement, the existing setbacks and the proposed setbacks and lot coverage.  Marshall White, White Engineering, stated that the property slopes, and that the grade will change within the driveway to allow for a garage under the house.  The property will be connected to the new municipal sewer and will be heated by propane.  Mr. Newberg stated that the property is surrounded by woodlands and that the house would not be visible only from the driveway entrance.  Mr. Newberg has personally spoken to all of his neighbor and sent them a letter regarding their request.  The special permit granting authority found that the proposed use: a.  The application is in compliance with all provisions and requirements of this Bylaw, and in harmony with its general intent and purpose; b. The application is a private residence therefore not detrimental to the public convenience or welfare at the proposed location; c.  The application will not be detrimental to adjacent uses or to the established or future character of the neighborhood;  d.  The application will not create undue traffic congestion or unduly impair pedestrian safety;  e.  The application will not overload any public water as the property has a well, drainage, or sewer system as the property will be connecting to the Town Sewer or any other municipal facility to such an extent that the proposed use of any existing use in the immediate area or in any other area of the town will be unduly subjected to the hazards affecting public health, safety or general welfare.  George made a motion to approve the application as presented, a second was received from Deb.  The vote to approve the application was unanimous.

Deb made a motion to appoint David Lane to the Cable Committee to represent Stockbridge.  A second was made by George.  The vote to appoint David as the second member of the representative from Stockbridge was unanimous.

George made a motion to adjourn at 9:00 p.m.  A second was made by Deb.  The vote to adjourn was unanimous.

				A true copy, ATTEST:

August 23, 2004

The Selectmen's meeting was cancelled due to the death of Deb McMenamy's father.

August 25, 2004

Present:  Plain School Reuse Task Force

The committee met with both the Marketing (Bay Area Economics) and Architectural (Alderman & MacNeish) firms chosen to study the Plain School.

			A true copy, ATTEST:

August 30, 2004

Present:  Cris Irsfeld, Deb McMenamy, George Shippey, Chief Richard Wilcox and Jorja Marsden 

The Selectmen and Chief Wilcox reviewed the Elm and Maple Street traffic problems.  Discussion centered around possibly raising the crosswalks near Elm Street Market and Michaels and also possibly placing another one near the O'Brien House and St. Joe's.  The possibility of humps out in the crosswalks near the Old Corner House, Library and St. Paul's was also discussed as it is difficult to see pedestrians trying to cross the streets.  Cris will speak to Clint regarding these suggestions.

			A true copy, ATTEST: