The Stockbridge Select Board is evaluating a proposal to modify a special permit granted in 2014 for the historic Elm Court estate, a property that has seen its share of developmental challenges. On December 4, 2023, the board heard a presentation detailing plans from a development team led by Linda Law and Dr. Richard Peiser, who purchased the estate through their company, Vanderbilt Berkshires Estate LLC (VBE), in December 2022.
The Elm Court estate, located at 310 Old Stockbridge Road, features a Gilded Age mansion designed by the renowned architectural firm Peabody & Stearns in 1886. The property, which spans 89 acres, is notable for its historical significance, having been the site of diplomatic discussions that contributed to the Treaty of Versailles and the formation of the League of Nations. The mansion is also recognized as the largest shingle-style residence in the United States, with expansive grounds designed by the landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted.
The proposed modifications to the special permit outline plans for a wellness resort, restaurant, and spa, along with freestanding single-family homes under a condominium regime. The developers propose to dedicate approximately 35 acres, or 40 percent of the site, to conservation and recreation, while potentially developing 25 acres, roughly 28 percent of the property. The plan also includes public walking trails and restored landscape features, designed to minimize the impact on the surrounding environment.
In contrast to the original special permit, which included 112 guest rooms, the new proposal reduces the number of hotel rooms to 74 while introducing 38 resort residences. This shift aims to attract seasonal or part-time residents, with both plans including a 60-seat restaurant and a spa of similar size, ranging between 15,000 and 16,000 square feet.
Steve Benson, CEO of VBE, emphasized the advantages of the new proposal, which he argues will generate significant economic benefits for Stockbridge. According to Benson, the project could increase the town’s tax base by between $2.6 million and $3.7 million, create 85 to 105 new jobs, and contribute $2.2 million to $2.3 million in annual local spending. Additionally, the developers plan to contribute $1.7 million to the local affordable housing trust.
The modification request aligns with the town’s Cottage Era Estates bylaw, which supports the development of historic grounds while ensuring their preservation through financially viable means. Jonathan Silverstein, the developers’ attorney, noted that the amendment process could streamline development by avoiding the need for multiple permits for the same property.
Despite the potential benefits, the proposal has drawn significant public interest and concern. The upcoming Planning Board meeting, now scheduled for December 16 at 18:30, will allow further discussion on the project, following the cancellation of the December 2 meeting due to weather conditions. Planning Board Chair Kate Fletcher noted the importance of the details involved in such a large project.
Several stakeholders expressed reservations regarding the modification process. Concerns were raised by Michael Lucia, a resident of Lenox, who argued that the amendment represents a fundamentally different land use than what was originally permitted in 2014. Similarly, Steven Greene, a resident of Old Stockbridge Road, suggested that the scope of changes warrants a new application rather than a simple amendment.
In a letter addressed to the Select Board, Mary Berle, a longtime resident of Stockbridge, shared her belief that the proposed changes would not benefit the town’s growth, arguing that they would disrupt the landscape rather than enhance it. She stated, “It’s not the kind of growth that’s going to be helpful for Stockbridge.”
The hearing will continue on January 22, 2024, at 18:30, where the Select Board is expected to receive recommendations from the Planning Board regarding the proposal. As discussions evolve, stakeholders will be keen to see how the balance between preserving historical integrity and facilitating modern development is navigated.
