PITTSFIELD -- Pittsfield Cooperative Bank has won endorsement from the Traffic Commission for an important step toward creating a new branch facility at the corner of North and Burbank streets.

The commission on Thursday unanimously approved allowing two-way traffic on a section of Burbank Street between First and North streets that now is one-way, heading east.

That recommendation, which drew no opposition before the commission, will now go to the City Council for review.

Also required for the new bank branch will be council approval for a drive-thru ATM off Burbank Street planned at the rear of the bank building, which will face onto North Street. The corner lot now is vacant.

Pittsfield Cooperative Bank, which was established in 1889, now has a main office at 70 South St., and branches on Dalton Avenue, on Main Street in Dalton, and on Main Street in Great Barrington.

The project, which is in the preliminary design phase pending traffic and drive-thru approvals, would also require site plan approval from the Community Development Board.

A preliminary drawing of the project shows a drive-thru that is parallel with Burbank Street with an entrance just behind the branch building and an exit closer to the First Street intersection.

There are 14 angled parking spaces depicted on the north side of the rectangular

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lot.

Attorney Emil George, representing the bank before the commission, said two-way traffic on Burbank would not be expected to result in many drivers attempting left-hand turns across traffic from Burbank onto North.

The natural tendency, he said, would be to make a right onto First Street in order to head south.

Anyone driving from the bank drive-thru and heading north, George said, would be able to make a right hand turn onto North Street and avoid the need to turn left onto First Street.

The Traffic Commission also received a petition Thursday from Tammy Ives, of Sadler Avenue, seeking a no parking zone because of the narrowness of the street.

She said she sometimes has trouble getting out of her driveway because of cars parked on the street.

Commissioners resolved to examine parking along the length of Sadler Avenue and the entire area from Tyler Street going north because of narrow streets. Ward 1 City Councilor Christine A. Yon will be asked to help gauge resident sentiment for possible street parking restrictions, the said.

To reach Jim Therrien:
jtherrien@berkshireeagle.com,
or (413) 496-6247
On Twitter: @BE_therrien