GREAT BARRINGTON AFFORDABLE HOUSING TRUST FUND

255 Park Street in Housatonic, known as the Risingdale ballfield, was purchased by the town, acting through the Trust, earlier this year using Community Development Act (CPA) funds. An independent appraisal was done and a level one environmental survey was completed with no adverse issues. The only “given” is that any housing developed must be qualified as affordable.

     Eventually, the Trust will set project goals, broad brush items that will guide development.  For example, at the Habitat project on North Plain Road, the project goals were: shared open space, green buffer at the perimeter, home ownership, and town acceptance of the central road.

     The site is a three-acre lot, just north of Taft Farms. It is zoned R-1-B / R-2, residential, with 25% maximum lot coverage, 25’ front and 10’ side yard setbacks for up to three dwelling units per parcel. This site also falls under the Residential Cluster Development section by right which applies if more than four dwelling units are built. The Residential Cluster Development requires units to be clustered in groups of four with a maximum of 20’ between units, 35% of the site to be shared open space, and 75% of the units to be 1,200 sf or less.​

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The mission of the Affordable Housing Trust Fund is to provide housing options for low- and moderate-income households and to fund community housing in Great Barrington.

     The AHTF is interested in a dialogue with our neighbors and friends to explore affordable housing options. We have created a survey for residents to provide feedback on this project. We have already held two outreach meetings to meet with neighbors and the community and gather feedback.

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