Lenox Commons and low-income housing

David Ward, owner of Lenox Commons, has told the Lenox Planning Board: “The first units have sold so well and we have lots of interest in new housing.”

Congratulations!

The announcement was carried last week in our front-page story by Kameron Z. Spaulding.

Now he (Mr. Ward) wants to expand close to the wetlands on the south side of the parcel that borders on Kennedy Park. He and his engineers claim there has been a modification to the wetlands provision, which may allow the proposed additional buildings.

Mr. Ward’s company has built in Hinsdale, Dalton, Pittsfield and Lenox.

Certainly, one could argue for a more American contemporary Lenox-style building with three units that might make it more appealing both to the future homeowner and the public-at-large.

The Berkshire Beacon has never been in favor of the state mandated 40b, which over rules local government.

And it has not seen the value of a proposed low-income housing unit off of Housatonic Street. Simply: It just does not feel good.

As Debra Burke, a proponent of low-income housing said, if you (George C. Jordan III) are against it, it will pass. Thanks for the recognition.

As for The Berkshire Beacon, the novel and better approach today may be to combine growth, assets and low-income goals to Mr. Ward’s plans for the greater good.

All key are: a bus line stop, shops, connection to the web and most importantly, offering young folks the opportunity to enjoy, with their families, the outdoors and the use of Kennedy Park.

One better idea: A model complex for all incomes and the joining of commercial and residential. At one point, the former owner wanted to create loft-type housing above the businesses, much like a home office development.

What a remarkable idea! All this needs is a creative style, priced to sell and Mr. Ward to tip his hat to the Berkshire community: “Come on over and enjoy our natural beauty.”

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Meanwhile, the Town of Lenox should consider the $600,000 parcel on Housatonic Street either for sale or as part of a propsed plan to incorporate a safety building for fire, police and ambulance services. The town has the land assessed at $361,000.

The safety building idea has been on the back burner since the town considered buying the old Bull’s Garage for its department of public works.

Whether or not the taxpayers will buy into this notion is unknown.

What is known is the town must face its future of an aging population and a tourist base and consider looking forward in some type of regional planning.

If the building could be also the site for tourism (an information booth) underwritten by the commonwealth, a base for restrooms and a store or stores for lease, along with an updated safety group to serve the public, this might be worthy of taxpayer consideration.

This might be one of those regional ideas whereby our safety service serves Lee and Stockbridge, thus, a tri-town safety building.

The backup plan of the Housatonic property would be a simple sale to a commercial entity. So far, each project to date has met with opposition.

Posted by George C. Jordan III on January 17, 2013. Filed under Editorials,Opinion. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry