To the Editor:
I was so pleased to see Cara Davis’s letter. Her commitment to this community and devotion to Construct Inc. is an inspiration, and her collaboration with CDC (Community Development Corporation of South Berkshire) over the years has certainly been productive. Bravo to both. Not everyone is as devoted to local affordable housing needs, and she is a local hero to me.
I don’t agree, however, with her assessment of the affordable housing project at 100 Bridge Street. Please appreciate that those of us who disagree with her, also feel passionately responsible for our community. Yes, yes, gads yes: the sooner we can provide more affordable housing stock the better.
Clearly, our understanding of the facts is different. And I’m going to present mine in response to Cara’s, point by point. Long, alas, but researched and heartfelt.
The Brownfield
That this site is a brownfield is not just an enormous challenge, it’s a travesty. The CDC, I know, is absolutely committed to cleaning the area up properly; however, the plan he is working with is outdated and limp. Environment contaminants is a hot issue all over the world and research studies have mushroomed exponentially, advancing quickly as the interest grows. I’ve read current studies (2016) that cite promising results. Be that as it may, DEP has stipulated no further bio-remediation should be pursued and that the solution is to cap. Capping is not remediating; its containment. The permanence of containment is not established. Note that the current plan proposes two stages of remediation, final and interim. That means one is safer than the other. Spooky, right?
Truly, would you want your grandchildren playing on a lawn that abuts a not completely remediated, less safe patch of acreage next door? Capping is like sweeping dust under the rug; the dirt it is not “gone.” The room still needs to be cleaned.
Project size
Forty-five units. Yes. Good. Forty-five units, However this is not a proposal for the 8 acre site so frequently included in the narrative. This is for 45 apartments (with parking) and little green space on 2.2 acres. Not so brilliant.
There is no patch of yard for children to play. CDC suggests sending the children to a nearby public park, across the road up the hill. Or, they’ll develop a small green space in the middle of the undeveloped part of the property, separate from the four building units. The existing neighborhood park, or to-be-built green patch – moms not able to glance out the window to monitor her kids – because neither site is visible.
Location
The 2.2 acres selected have the lowest elevation of the 8, so views — not so great, East Mountain not really visible. Facing south, one looks to the wastewater treatment plant, which has had many complaints from the neighborhood — of glaring lights 24/7, noise, smells once organic changed chemical. They speak also of sickness they believe are related. Of houses put on the market and not selling. Residents showed up at the Seclect Board and Planning Board meetings to express their old concerns, 10 years and growing.
Design Model Comparison
Pinewoods, in Stockbridge, is 30 residences in a dozen ranch style buildings with space between. The treatment plant is smaller than ours and separated by thick glade of trees. Sadly, I have not heard positive reports from the residents there as you have, only unfortunate ones.
Though cited as a model, it’s significantly different than what is proposed for 100 Bridge: 45 units in three buildings, the neighboring treatment plant separated by a visual barrier of a single line, a row, of trees.
The model of Red Lion Inn isn’t a match either. It is the downtown anchor on Main Street in Stockbridge. It’s situation on Route 7 has two lanes of traffic and diagonal parking both sides of the street. The proposed site is on a neighborhood block that currently doesn’t have a line down the center of the road, so modest is the traffic and usage, so domestic the neighborhood. This is a family area with lawns and swing sets, zucchini and marigolds in the garden.
Proposed are three buildings cheek to jowl, floors stacked atop one another like cereal boxes, the amenity of a balcony that blocks ambient light to the floors below. This is not respectful.
I don’t like this project. And wonder why the town is being urged to approve yet another flawed and controversial project. CDC is capable of so much more. Our affordable housing residents deserve much better. Great Barrington, listen up.
I believe that we absolutely must persevere to create housing, and make it happen soon. At the same time we must preserve the small family neighborhoods of our village. We desperately need affordable housing. But not crammed like cattle in a stockade with no space to play (and maybe bad air to breath). This site? Remediate the entire site to final standards first and then contemplate populating it. Then yes, absolutely. But housing, not apartment blocks. Appropriate structures and with appropriate proportion on a clean piece of earth, with space between.
Nan Wile
Great Barrington
