Planning Board Continues Hotel Hearing to August 17
Planning Board · Meeting of July 27, 2026
Lee Planning Board continues review of a contested 75-room hotel over parking and design concerns. Attorney Jeff Lynch, representing the applicant for the 165 Housatonic Street project, faced pointed questions from board member Tim, who noted the town's zoning bylaw requires more parking than the 80 spaces proposed once the hotel's 104-bed maximum capacity is applied. Resident Marilyn Wyatt disputed the developer's cited 67 percent occupancy rate, saying Berkshire County's seasonal tourism keeps annual occupancy closer to "about 50 percent." Board Chair Buck Donovan called the four-story design "one of the most contested projects I've seen so far" and pushed for more traditional detailing.
The board also voted 5-0 to designate the town's Land Use Department as Lee's contact for a state Consolidated Permit Pathway program. The hotel hearing was continued to August 17, with a new site visit and balloon test set for August 6.
In the full story:
- Who Was There
- Organizations And Documents Referenced
- The complete report — 3,184 words
Source: the Planning Board meeting of July 27, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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