An artist rendering of the proposed campground at the Dream Away Lodge. Credit: Bryan May Architecture
Planners took another 90 minutes of public comments Wednesday (June 8) on a proposed luxury camping development in Massachusetts. But a decision remains far off, an official cautioned, according to The Berkshire Eagle.
When the Planning Board decided just before 9 p.m. to postpone further comments for a month, one man eager to speak wondered aloud if after waiting until July, he’d be put off again.
“I know you folks are somewhat frustrated,” said Robert T. Ronzio, the panel’s chairman, addressing that comment as nearly 100 people listened and watched on Zoom.
“This is going to be a long process,” he said.
The six-member board is evaluating a special permit application from Hit the Road LLC to create a 100-site facility on 48 acres off County Road, alongside the historic Dream Away Lodge.
The board will continue to take comments when it next meets at 6 p.m. on July 13.
On Wednesday, officials continued to hear arguments for and against the “glamping” development.
Jeffrey Lynch, the Lenox attorney representing the developer, used his presentation to respond to points opponents made at the board’s May 11 meeting. The public hearing opened on April 13.
Lynch argued that the kind of camping activity proposed is allowed. “We’re not proposing anything more or less than what the townspeople of Becket have authorized through their enactment of the zoning ordinance, in which they state that camping for commercial purposes is allowed by a special permit in this zone.”
