City Council - Ordinance Committee

CHICOPEE CITY COUNCIL ORDINANCE COMMITTEE ACCEPTED MEMBERS James Tillotson, Chairman Gary Labrie, Vice-Chairman Robert J. Zygarowski Frank Laflamme Timothy McLellan MINUTES April 14, 2015 The following are the minutes of a public hearing held Tuesday, April 14, 2015 at 6:30 PM in the City Council Chambers, Fourth Floor, City Hall Annex, 274 Front Street, Chicopee, MA 01013. Members Present: Tillotson, Labrie, Laflamme, Zygarowski, McLellan Also Present: Dan Garvey (Asst. City Solicitor), Frank Czepiel (Chairman for the Commission for disabled) The meeting was called to order at 6:33 PM. In compliance with the open meeting laws the Chairman asked if anyone in the audience was recording the meeting. Motion made by Councilor to move Item # 1 until the end of the meeting ITEM #1 11 Walter Street – Handicap Parking Frank Czepiel stated that this is the second time the applicant has filed a for a Handicap sign. He came back with some information on his disability but the landlord has handicap parking in the rear of the building already. Councilor Tillotson stated we have the same response from Steve Fredericks; Both of these locations provide inadequate access and a lack of compliant accessibility to the sidewalk. Motion to deny – motion passed Committee vote 5 – 0 Unfavorable ITEM #2 19 Hope Street – Handicap Parking Frank Czepiel stated that there already is an Ordinance entry for 14 Hope Street which is across the street and there is no sign there so we can strike the 14 Hope Street and add 19 Hope Street. 1 Councilor Tillotson stated that if there’s already an Ordinance in affect for a Handicap sign across the street, why don’t we just put up the sign where it belongs. Motion to table – motion passed ITEM #3 67 Park Street – Handicap Parking Frank Czepiel stated that the applicant has two driveways. Councilor Brooks stated it’s a multi-family home and the Collegian Court customers block the driveways. Councilor Tilloston the following from Steve Fredericks (City Engineer): I was not a proponent of handicap parking near the Collegian court nor at the subject location. The same situation applies that there is a lack of adequate room for a handicap space with proper access to the sidewalk. The applicant states issues with their driveway not providing adequate access. I understand that challenge and echo that regarding the adjacent on-street situation. May I suggest a timed parking restriction along a section of Park Street as the applicant stated the influx of vehicles parking for the Collegian Court. Councilor Laflamme motion to deny – Councilor McLellan 2nd the motion – motion passed Committee vote 5 – 0 Unfavorable ITEM #4 36 Plante Circle – Handicap Parking Frank Czepiel stated that there are already four Handicap signs on this street. Councilor Laflamme motion to deny – Councilor McLellan 2nd the motion – motion passed Committee vote 5 – 0 Unfavorable ITEM #5 Marten Street – At the intersection of Marten Street and Tanglewood Street – Isolated Stop Sign Councilor Zygarowski motion to approve – Councilor Laflamme 2nd the motion – motion passed Committee vote 5 – 0 Favorable ITEM #6 Marten Street – At the intersection of Marten Street and Pendleton Avenue – Isolated Stop Sign Councilor Laflamme motion to approve – Councilor Brooks 2nd the motion – motion passed Committee vote 5 – 0 Favorable 2 ITEM #7 – tabled at 3/10/2015 meeting 48 Meetinghouse Road – Handicap Parking Councilor Laflamme motion to remove from the table – Councilor Zygarowski 2nd the motion – motion passed Councilor Tilloston the following from Steve Fredericks (City Engineer): I reviewed the request for an on-street handicap IVO 48 Meetinghouse Road. Due to the lack of accessibility needed for handicap parking I am not in favor of an on-street space at this location. I would suggest the Ward Councilor discuss with the Housing Authority the option of an off-street space which is adjacent to these locations. Councilor Laflamme motion to deny – Councilor Tillotson 2nd the motion – motion passed Committee vote 4 – 0 Unfavorable ITEM #8 ORDERED THAT the Ordinance Committee meet to discuss Chapter 260-28, Parking of Commercial Vehicles. Dan Garvey stated The Chief of Police believes that there is a state statue which defines the twenty six thousand and one pounds. Whether we can reduce that is something that we will have to look into with the Registry of Motor Vehicles. I will do some research on this. Councilor McLellan motion to table – Councilor Laflamme 2nd the motion – motion passed ITEM #9 Minutes – March 10, 2015 Motion made to approve – Motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 6:56 PM. 3