Handweaver allowed to move to Lenox

LENOX – What was a no is now a yes for one local business.

Sam Kasten Handweaver, currently located in the former schoolhouse on Melville Street in Pittsfield, has been in contact with Building Inspector Bill Thornton about relocating to the Lenox Commons.

Established in 1972, Sam Kasten Handweaver provides handmade custom textiles for the interior design and architectural trades.

Mr. Thornton originally said this could not be allowed because zoning rules outlaw “light manufacturing” in that zone and the company planned on making small samples in the 1,100-square foot future office.

“The crux of the issue was just how much time would be spent manufacturing,” said Town Manager Gregory Federspiel. “And the concerns Bill raised were over a lack of details, but once we knew more about how little of that use there would be, we told them to move forward.”

Selectman Channing Gibson had been leading the charge to make sure that the use would be allowed to insure the business would move their office to Lenox.

“Do we want to lose a business over the making of some samples?” Selectman Gibson asked the planning board at their meeting last week.

Now, in a turn, the business has been told that they will be allowed to open the office, including being able to make the samples in-house.

“Town council has agreed that this is a not an issue,” said Mr. Federspiel, adding no approval by the Lenox Zoning Board of Appeals would be needed in this case.

David Ward, the developer of Lenox Commons, has confirmed the new office will be open by March.

Posted by Kameron Z. Spaulding on January 31, 2013. Filed under Community News,News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry