BRPC and 1Berkshire, with the support of a broad working group of housing practitioners from throughout Berkshire County, have launched A Housing Vision for the Berkshires, a regional strategy to lead more intentional efforts to address the current housing crisis.

The realm of land use planning and land development is constantly changing. Some of these changes are effectuated upon the passage of a new state or federal law. Other times change is precipitated by the shifting needs or preferences of people in a community or across the country. BRPC attempts to keep apprised of the latest trends in land development and offer guidance to communities. In this initiative, documents will be added to offer basic guidance. The depth of research into these topics will vary, although an attempt was made to discuss the main points of each. For more information on land use issues please contact Thomas Matuszko, Executive Director @ tmatuszko@berkshireplanning.org or (413) 442-1521 ext. 34.

On July 28, 2017 Governor Baker signed a compromise bill approved by lawmakers earlier that raises taxes on retail sales of marijuana, establishes stringent requirements for the packaging and labeling of marijuana products, and spells out procedures cities and towns must follow if they wish to ban or restrict pot shops from opening in their communities. There are various issues local governments will confront with the adoption of this law and significant questions about exactly what should and can be done, and when, at the local level.

The Shared Community Planner program allows each participating town to access services and assistance that fit their specific needs and budget. Participating towns have requested assistance with a wide range of land use and other community planning projects. All municipalities in Berkshire County are invited to contact BRPC to learn more about the Shared Planner program.

On December 28, 2018, Governor Baker signed H.4841, An Act Regulating and Insuring Short-term Rentals, into law, as Ch. 337 of the Acts of 2018. The regulation, insurance, and taxation of short-term rentals has become a topic of increasing concern and urgency in Berkshire County. As a tourism destination, Berkshire County has been affected by the rise of short-term rentals. As such, regional municipalities may require assistance navigating the new legal realities of short-term rentals.

The Berkshire Regional Planning Commission has completed working with a regional Consortium of cross-sector partners to develop a regional sustainability plan for the Berkshires. The three-year project developed a regional vision and supporting goals, policies and strategies for conservation and recreation, economy, local food and agriculture, climate and energy, housing and neighborhoods, historic preservation, infrastructure and services, and land use. Broad public outreach mechanisms were employed throughout the process to garner strong public input. The Plan was adopted by the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission on March 20, 2014.

This project involves the creation of a new Open Space and Recreation Plan for the Town of Adams.

The project includes direct assistance to the town of Clarksburg to develop a master plan and open space and recreation plan.

BRPC will assist the town of Florida develop an ADA Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan to assess the accessibility of town properties.

The Town of Great Barrington’s most recent Open Space and Recreation Plan was adopted in 2013 expired in 2018. That plan was written in conjunction with a Master Plan that was also adopted in 2013. The town began updating its OSRP in 2019 and completed survey work in 2020. This process was interrupted by the COVID-19 Pandemic. The town is ready to reinitiate this process and develop a new OSRP.

Berkshire Regional Planning Commission will provide support for municipalities to advance housing options. This includes but is not limited to gathering data, researching regional housing models, supporting the development of bylaws, regulations, and the local use of best practices as well as expanding the availability of land use and housing planning assistance. Berkshire Housing Development Corporation will partner with BRPC to create a welcoming environment for well-planned quality housing and develop a network of housing development advocates.

This project involves the creation of a new Open Space and Recreation Plan for the Town of Lanesborough.

BRPC will assist the town of Lee's Planning Board evaluate its existing zoning bylaw and develop amendments to modernize the document.

This project includes the development of a Housing Production Plan for the Town of Lenox's Affordable Housing Trust.

The Berkshire Regional Planning Commission (BRPC) is serving as the agent of the five Rest of River municipalities (Lenox, Lee, Stockbridge, Great Barrington, Sheffield), and shall retain legal counsel approved by the municipalities. BRPC communicates the position of the municipalities to Counsel regarding filing of legal arguments during the EPA permit and appeals process, during the federal appeals and in negotiations. If it is deemed necessary by the municipalities to pursue litigation related to the river cleanup BRPC will communicate the position of the municipalities to Counsel for the purposes of pursuing the Appeals. BRPC is responsible for all coordination between Counsel and the municipalities; BRPC acts as the agent and representative of the municipalities, subject to advice and approval from the municipalities, in assisting Counsel in these matters; and BRPC acts as the municipalities’ fiscal agent.

This project involves assisting the town with evaluating potential zoning amendments to increase housing options in town and developing an assessment of potential wastewater options for the town center outside of relying on traditional septic systems.

This project involves the development of a new regional comprehensive plan that builds off the 2014 Sustainable Berkshires Plan.

BRPC will provide assistance to the FRCOG in developing municipal farmland protection plans and associated administrative activities in support of the FRCOG’s Western Massachusetts Regional...

This project includes an evaluation and amendments to the town's subdivision regulations and bylaws, as well as the development of a Housing Production Plan.

BRPC worked with the town of Adams to conduct an ADA Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan. The project included an analysis of all town-owned properties, policies...

BRPC worked with the Great Barrington Planning Board to conduct an ADA Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan. The project included an analysis of all town-owned properties,...

Lee obtained funding from the Massachusetts Office on Disability to conduct an ADA Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan, which establishes a roadmap to increase the accessibility...

Monterey obtained funding from the Massachusetts Office on Disability to conduct an ADA Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan, which establishes a roadmap to increase the accessibility...

BRPC worked with the City of North Adams’ Commission on Disabilities and Office of Community Development to conduct an ADA Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan. The...

BRPC worked with the City of Pittsfield's Parks and Recreation Department to create an ADA Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan. The Massachusetts Office on Disability graciously...

BRPC worked with the town of Williamstown to develop an ADA Self Evaluation and Transition Plan. The project included an analysis of all town-owned properties,...

Alford obtained funding from the Massachusetts Office on Disability to conduct an ADA Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan. The evaluation identifies accessibility barriers to goods and...

A simple resource book providing an overview of the major responsibilities given to municipal planning boards in the Massachusetts land use process.