Zoning Board approves Elm Court permit change 5-0
The Lenox Zoning Board of Appeals voted 5-0 to grant an amended special permit allowing the historic Elm Court estate to be redeveloped into a smaller lodge complex and 38 private residences split across the Lenox-Stockbridge line.
Zoning Board · Meeting of October 7, 2026
LENOX — The Lenox Zoning Board of Appeals voted 5-0 to grant an amended special permit allowing the historic Elm Court estate to be redeveloped into a smaller lodge complex and 38 private residences split across the Lenox-Stockbridge line. Chair Robert Fuster Jr. said the board's authority was limited to four factors affecting Lenox — traffic, police, fire and water/sewer impacts — after citing a 2017 Land Court ruling restricting jurisdiction on split properties. Member Daniel Schenker voted in favor but warned that projected hospitality wages of $50,000 to $60,000 fall well short of the roughly $72,000 income needed to afford a $1,500-a-month local apartment, asking "where are they going to live and how are they going to afford to live here?" Stockbridge stands to gain an estimated $1.7 million in affordable-housing funds from the project, while Lenox gets no new tax revenue but new water and sewer infrastructure.
The board also attached five special conditions, each passing 5-0, including a ban on Old Stockbridge Road parking and a requirement that some on-site parking stay open to the public.
In the full story:
- Who Was There
- Organizations And Documents Referenced
- The complete report — 3,850 words
Source: the Zoning Board meeting of October 7, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
Members read the rest of this story and every Lenox meeting we cover, in full.
Become a memberAlready a member? Sign inA 30-day free trial needs a payment method. After it, your membership renews at the price shown at checkout until you cancel, which you can do anytime from your account. Subscription terms
Share this story
Know someone in Lenox who follows town government? Share Townbrief Lenox: they can sign up free.