To the editor:
Last Thursday evening’s Stockbridge Select Board hearing regarding the special permit application of the developer of the old DeSisto estate to build a massive resort on the property followed a familiar pattern. As in the three previous hearings, the developer’s attorney was given an unlimited amount of time to present their case and the “public,” including abutters and their lawyers, were given two minutes each to make their comments. The chairperson has effectively precluded the Select Board and their constituency, the residents of the town, from hearing a full and open discussion of all the pros and cons of the proposal.
The relevant bylaws allowing certain development on qualified Cottage Era estates contain many specifications and required findings to allow the issuance of a special permit, including the preservation of the mansion, open spaces, and many others. The Select Board was advised that there may be “wiggle room” in the required findings, but if you apply a wiggle-room standard, as fully as they they are being asked to do, to all of the required findings, you will have undermined the entire purpose and concept of these special bylaws.
Some of the required findings include: that the development will not be detrimental to the neighbors or the character of the neighborhood; will not create undue traffic congestion or impair pedestrian safety; the number of people and the times they are on the property may be limited; an addition or new structure may not exceed the gross square footage of the mansion; the building heights may not exceed 35 feet or 2 1/2 stories; and no new detached structure may be closer than 200 feet from the mansion. None of these requirements and others not enumerated herein have been satisfied. And nothing has been considered regarding the quality of life of nearby residents or the safety of travelers on Route 183, a narrow, winding, and dangerous road, when numerous guests at the proposed resort are added to the otherwise congested road, adding to unbearable traffic delays, particularly during the Tanglewood season.
Only one of the Select Board members appeared to be motivated to ask questions of or push back against the developer, only on matters not related directly to many of the required findings. Stockbridge is at an existential cross roads, and the Select Board will bear the responsibility for adversely and irrevocably altering the nature and values of the town if they permit this huge commercial development in a rural, totally residential neighborhood.
Stuart Hirshfield
Stockbridge
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