City Council - Zoning Committee

City of Chicopee City Council Zoning Committee Members Shane Brooks, Chair James Tillotson, Vice Chair Fred Krampits Approved 12-11-19 Frank Laflamme Jerry Roy Stan Walczak George Balakier MINUTES November 6, 2019 The following are the minutes of a public hearing held Wednesday, November 6, 2019 at 6:30 PM at the RiverMills Senior Center, 5 West Main Street, Lower Level, Small Garden Room #14 A, and Chicopee, MA 01013. Members Present: Brooks, Krampits, Laflamme, Walczak Member Absent: Tillotson, Roy, Balakier Also Present: Daniel Garvey (Associated City Solicitor), Councilor Derek Dobosz The meeting was called to order at 6:30 PM In compliance with the Open Meeting Law the Chairman asked if anyone in the audience was recording the meeting. Hearing none the meeting continued. ITEM #1 Zone Change from Residence A to Business A for approximately 8285 square feet of property located at 415 East St. for the purpose of a car dealership. Applicant – C & H Investments, Bruno Calouro, 40 Emily Ln, Belchertown, MA 01007. Abbas Hamdan and Bruno Calouro were present at the meeting. They stated that they are requesting a zone change for a small portion of property in order to park cars for sale on that piece. Currently, that small portion is zoned Residence A and they are not allowed to park for sale cars on that portion. Chairman Brooks stated that the Planning Board voted favorably for the zone change request. Councilor Krampits abstained from this application because he is an abutter to this property. 1 Motion made by Councilor Laflamme and second by Councilor Brooks to approve. Committee vote 3 – 0 favorable. ITEM #2 Special Permit under Chapter 275-50 C1 & C2 for the purpose of accessory sign for a proposed bank located at 705 Memorial Drive. Applicant – Florence Bank, Mark Cavanaugh, 85 Main St., Florence, MA 01062. Maureen Buxton and Chris Karney from R Levesque were present at the meeting. Chris Karney stated that 2 items need to be reviewed. One is that the sign will be within the setback from Memorial Drive and the second is the electronic sign display. The sign will be located 5 feet from the property line and 5 feet from the side property line. (5 feet from Memorial Drive street line and 5 feet from Edbert Street line). The sign will be self-illuminated on top and electronic sign below. Public Input Mary Ellen Mayott, 34 Edbert Street, asked by the sign has to be located on the corner of Edbert Street when the frontage of the property is along a commercial road. She further questioned why customers will utilize Edbert Street to access the drive-up. She also asked for the dimensions of the sign and will the sign be illuminated. Chairman Brook stated the Special Permit is for the sign and the committee has no jurisdiction over how the property will be accessed. That would be another phase of the project that the Zoning Committee does not oversee. Councilor Brooks asked why the applicant chose this particular location for the sign. Chris Karney stated that this was chosen because Memorial Drive is one-way. They are requesting the sign to be placed prior to the entrance of the site. That way the driver doesn’t pass by the entrance and then be forced to make a U-turn in order to reenter the site. Chris Karney stated that the Planning Board will meet next Thursday to review the definitive site plan. He further stated that this is the former HuKeLau Restaurant and the bank will be utilizing the existing curb cut that was utilized in the past to serve the back of the property. The sign will be 7 feet x ? . Councilor Laflamme stated that abutters are welcome to attend the Planning Board hearing next week. Councilor Walczak asked how frequently the electronic sign will change. Chris Karney replied that they are open to the requirements of the city. Councilor Laflamme stated that the standard is that the message will change every 8 seconds. 2 Councilor Dobosz stated that he is not opposed to the proposed sign as long as it is not a danger to drivers. Reports read from the following departments: Planning – Site is zoned Business A illuminated digital signs require a Special Permit. Planning recommends approval of the digital sign. The design with other signage along Memorial Drive. Ground signage requires a 25 foot front setback applicant is proposing a 5 foot setback. Planning recommends approval due to significant width of Memorial Drive right of way. Fire – No issues. Conditions Abide by city standards which is that the sign message board will change every 8 seconds. Permit to run with the applicant. Motion made to approve by Councilor Laflamme and second by Councilor Brooks to approve with conditions. Committee vote 4 – 0 favorable. ITEM #3 Minutes – October 9, 2019 Motion made by Councilor Walczak and second by Councilor Brooks to approve. Motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 6:46 PM. 3