PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The City Council granted Cumberland Farms the approval needed to replace its First Street gas station with a much larger facility.

 

The company plans to purchase the Sanborn property, a former electrical supply company, on Adam Street, demolish both that building and the existing Cumberland Farms, and build a new 4,700 square-foot store and a canopy covering for eight gas pumps on the property.

 

The City Council granted the special permit to do so and approved storage of flammable materials (gasoline) on site.

 

"It sounds state of the art and a welcomed improvement," said Ward 3 Councilor Nicholas Caccamo.

 

According to Luke DiStefano, a senior project manager with Bohler Engineering of Albany, N.Y, the plan is more aesthetically pleasing as well as improving the functionality. Currently, the store has traffic troubles, which will be aided by closing off two curbcuts, and the layout will allow vehicles to maneuver better. He said the site, which will be 26,000 square feet in total, will feature some 4,000 square feet of additional greenspace with trees and shrubs.

 

"We really feel the site will be improved," he told the City Council.

 

The proposal also includes new lighting and increased security cameras to discourage loitering or other activities. 

 

"The look of the building will be like the Cumberland Farms in North Adams. It's an attractive building and definitely an improvement to what is there," said Ward 6 Councilor John Krol. 

 

City Planner CJ Hoss said the site wouldn't be used for vehicle traffic at all "in a perfect planning world" because of its downtown location. But, in this case, the site has been a gas station since the early 20th century and has been a Cumberland Farms for a number of years. The changes proposed — especially the curb cuts — will be an improvement, he said.

 

The City Council questioned the representatives about the amount of lighting and times and flow of traffic deliveries and were satisfied with the answers. 

 

"I just want to make sure Cumberland Farms will be a real good neighbor to them and work with the neighborhood," said Ward 2 Councilor Kevin Morandi. "It will clean up that area. It is really congested and tight right now."

 

DiStefano said construction will likely begin in the spring.

 

"Traditionally, New England, especially here, they are most likely going to start in early spring. You are looking at 100 days, give or take," he said.

 

The company had already received approval from the Community Development Board.