Alchemy Initiative Granted Permit for Bees & ChickensBy Joe Durwin, Special to iBerkshires
12:18PM / Thursday, August 18, 2011 | |
 Alchemy Initiative in Pittsfield is adding bees and chickens to its garden as part of its sustainability project. |
The Alchemy Initiative in the former Notre Dame Church is experimenting with urban farming. |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Zoning Board of Appeals voted Wednesday to approve a permit allowing Alchemy Initiative, which occupies the former Notre Dame Church at 40 Melville St., to raise chickens and bees as part of its ongoing urban farming project.
Approval of the permit was stalled when it went before the committee last week because of concerns raised by the closest neighbor, the Catholic Youth Center. At the Zoning Board's Aug. 10 meeting, CYC representative Tim Craw came forward to address questions asked by their insurers about the nature and extent of the agricultural efforts being made next door.
While Craw said neither he nor the CYC was opposed to what Alchemy has been doing, the center had a responsibility to its insurers to try to assess whether the project and its future growth might have any liability impact on the center's activities. The center hosts a variety of after-school programs for Grades K-12.
Craw met with Alchemy director Jessica Conzo following the meeting, during which these concerns were addressed. One important point of consideration was whether or not the presence of beehives posed any risks to the youth coming and going from the building.
"I told him that since bees generally range 3-5 miles foraging, the risk of bee stings is not really increased [by proximity]," said Conzo.
Craw could not be present at the Aug. 17 meeting, but sent a letter to the board indicating that the CYC was satisfied with the answers it received and posed no objection to the permit.
An amendment was made at Wednesday'ss meeting, limiting the total number of beehives to three. The permit was then granted by unanimous vote.
As to the limitation of beehives, Alchemy representatives Conzo and Diane Firtell said they had no objection to this.
"We only have one hive currently," said Conzo, "and we only have the setup for three ... I wouldn't really see us having done more than that anyway."
Conzo said they were very excited about the permit's approval, which would allow them to move forward and seek more publicity about their efforts on Melville Street.
The Alchemy Initiative, an experimental organization part sustainable living project, part arts enclave and part community-building center, was formed in 2009 by an all-female board of local entrepreneurs, artists and activists. In addition to their urban gardening, which has expanded to include maintaining a chicken coop and apiary, they host a variety of activities, events and workshops throughout the year.
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