Bousquet Plans 'Micro-Cabin' Accommodations
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Bousquet Mountain plans to add "micro cabins" to its recreational offerings.
On Tuesday, the Community Development Board approved a site plan submitted by Blue Chair Properties LLC, the owner of the ski area, for a mobile micro cabin area located at 101 Dan Fox Drive. It was approved with the condition that the board receives details about each phase of the project, site improvements are constructed before cabins are installed, and all lighting is downcast.
"Ultimately, the goal of the product is to provide an on-premises accommodation for overnight stay, really, on a year-round basis," explained Brent White, of White Engineering.
"Through this application, we're seeking a total of 16 sites. I want to be clear for everyone that the applicant proposes to construct this in a phased approach, with the first phase being really probably three to four units as kind of a proof of concept to verify that the demand and the operations are successful before they were to fill the full 16."
The proposed site is an existing gravel lot with a curb cut. It would have 16 parking spaces to accommodate the units, solar-powered lighting, and be connected to municipal water and sewer, extended from a nearby maintenance garage.
White said the cabins will be produced by B&B Micro Manufacturing in Adams. The full plan includes four two-bedroom cabins and 12 one-bedroom cabins.
Tim Burke, Mill Town Capital's CEO and managing director, said the first phase wouldn't start until 2026 and would need at least a year or two of viability to expand the cabin offerings.
"I think we're looking out several years before a further phase would be in the conversation," he said.
Bousquet was renovated in 2021 after it was purchased by Mill Town Capital and received a stormwater management permit in the process. Each cabin will have a stone drop edge around the perimeter.
"They're a temporary unit, they're on wheels, but we want to ensure that even though it's an existing gravel parking lot, that we're promoting a roof runoff directly back into the ground, and we also hope to plant more grass in that area," White said.
"So ultimately, it's our opinion that the net result of this project will improve storm water management conditions from those existing on site today."
There was some discussion about the proposed arrangement of the cabins. A nearby Tamarack Road resident expressed concerns about the cabins' impact on the neighborhood, explaining, "Right now, I'm in complete objection to this idea."
White said that there are more layers of oversight to this request, as the Board of Health oversees campgrounds and gives annual inspections. The Zoning Board of Appeals will have a public hearing for the project's special permit next month, and has the authority to set additional conditions to address concerns.
Tags: cabins, Planning Board,
