City Council - Zoning Committee

City of Chicopee City Council Zoning Committee Approved 1-12-2017 Members Shane Brooks, Chair Timothy McLellan, Vice Chair Fred Krampits Frank Laflamme Jerry Roy James Tillotson William Zaskey MINUTES December 15, 2016 The following are the minutes of a public hearing held Thursday, December 16, 2016 at 6:30 PM in the City Council Chambers, Fourth Floor, City Hall Annex, 274 Front Street, Chicopee, MA 01013. Members Present Brooks, McLellan, Krampits, Laflamme, Zaskey Not Present Roy, Tillotson Also Present Dan Garvey (City Solicitor) The meeting was called to order at 6:30 PM In compliance with the Open Meeting Law the Vice Chairman asked if anyone in the audience was recording the meeting. Hearing none the meeting continued. ITEM #1 Application for a Special Permit under 275-40 G 6&7, 61 C3, 50 C1 for the purpose of constructing new 108 room hotel (Tur by Hilton) and associated site improvements located at 450 Memorial Drive. The sections of the zoning ordinance which this Special Permit is being filed under are section 40 G(6&7) – flexible parking standards when multiple uses on the site peak at different hours, allowing parking to be shared, section 61C(3) – allowing establishments to serve alcohol, and section 50 C(1) – relief from accessory sign regulations. Applicant Chicopee Hospitality, LLC Hershal Patel 104 Osceola Lane Longmeadow, MA 01106 Applicant was present. 1 Rob Levesque from R. Levesque Associates stated we have the existing structure that includes the Days Inn. What we’re planning on doing is demolishing the Days Inn and reconstructing a new hotel. The new hotel will be more modern. Hershal Patel stated that the idea of the (Tru by Hilton) is to appeal to everyone. We’re going after the midscale traveler. It’s the largest market segment in the country. Councilor Laflamme asked about the long term hotel residents. Hershal Patel stated that he had the transitional assistance business from 2011 until 2014 and we didn’t fill the entire hotel with it like other operators did, we filled fifteen to thirty rooms. He also stated that the transitional assistance business is gone and we’ve completely renovated that wing now. Councilor Laflamme asked when the demolition will start. Hershal Patel stated that they will start abatement in February and demolition in March or April. It should be completed by May of 2018. Hershal Patel stated that their Residence Inn has won three gold awards in a row which means it operates top ten percent of all Residence Inn’s for customer satisfaction in the entire system of Marriot. Our Hampton Inn is top twenty percent. Health Department Will eventually need plans for all food service areas. These plans must be detailed and include all equipment that will be used. Engineering Department Plans dated 11/04/16 show an increase of parking spaces to 178 from the 171 spaces shown on the 10/13/16 submitted plan. 10/13/16 plan submitted for Special Permit differs from 11/04/16 plan submitted for site plan review. Planning Department Property zoned Central Business District; proposed use is permitted (275-61(B)(8)). Review of Special Permit requests as follows: (1) Hotel use already on property – same proposed use for future. (2) Flexible parking standards: Planning agrees that peak hotel parking demand will begin evening/early morning while existing commercial activity will peak during regular business hours. Recommend approval. (3) Alcohol services: (beer and wine); no sensitive uses surrounding the property; and other restaurants that have such licenses – recommend approval. (4) Signage: applicant is proposing to maintain existing number of signs (4) (two allowed per regulations) Recommend approval; no issue with current signage layout. Fire Department The parking plan submitted appears satisfactory. Access for emergency vehicles shall be maintained at all times. 2 Councilor Laflamme motion to approve with reports and restrictions – Councilor McLellan 2nd the motion – motion passed. Restrictions Permit to run with the land Committee vote 5 – 0 favorable ITEM #2 Minutes – November 10, 2-016 -Councilor Zaskey motion to approve - Councilor Laflamme 2nd the motion – motion passed Meeting adjourned at 7:00 PM 3