City Council - Zoning Committee

City of Chicopee City Council Zoning Committee Approved 11-17-2021 Members George Balakier, Chair James Tillotson, Vice Chair Fred Krampits Frank Laflamme Jerry Roy Stan Walczak Gary Labrie MINUTES October 27, 2021 The following are the minutes of a public hearing held Wednesday, October 27, 2021 at 6:30 PM in the Chambers, 4th floor, City Hall Annex, 274 Front Street, Chicopee, MA 01013 and via Zoom. Members Present: Balakier, Tillotson, Krampits, Laflamme, Walczak, Labrie Member Absent: Roy Also Present: Daniel Garvey (Associate City Solicitor), Chris Casali (IT), Councilor Courchesne, Councilor Zygarowski The meeting was called to order at 6:30 PM In compliance with the Open Meeting Law the Vice-Chair asked if anyone in the audience was recording the meeting. Hearing none the meeting continued. ITEM #1 Special Permit application under Chapter 275-59 (C) (6) for the purpose of eating and drinking establishment with the consumption of alcohol located at 340 Carew Street. Applicant 340 Carew Street, Inc. Giuseppe Berardi 340 Carew Street Chicopee, MA 01020 Attorney Daniel Kelly and Giuseppe Berardi were present via zoom. Attorney Kelly stated that the current owner is retiring and his sons are taking over the business and therefore, needs to apply for this Special Permit. 1 Reports read from the following: Health Department – New owner must fill out food service application Engineering Department – Submitted application does not call for alterations to the property. Please note, the existing parking spaces encroach on Richelieu Street right-of-way. Public Input David Burnham, 28 Richelieu Street, stated that he is concerned about the Handicap Parking space creating a safety hazard along Carew Street. It should be moved to the parking lot. He also stated that Milano’s is a very good neighbor. Conditions:  Handicap parking will be close to entrance following the requirements of handicap regulations/code  To be reviewed with DPW, Engineering, and Building and Handicap Commission regarding the handicap parking spaces  New owner must fill out food service application Motion made by Councilor Laflamme and second by Councilor Balakier to approve with conditions. Committee vote 6 – 0 favorable. ITEM #2 Special Permit application under Chapter 275-58 (C) (4) for the purpose of with Windsor Lounge, a bar, eating and drinking place with the consumption of alcohol located at 101 Main Street. Applicant Melissa Hojnowski 38 Vernon Street Holyoke, MA 01040 Melissa Hojnowski was present at the meeting. She stated that her address has changed. It is now 26 Linden Street. Councilor Balakier stated that the property owner has a fine that is outstanding for this property. Reports read from the following departments: Health Department – Health Department will need full detailed kitchen plan. Owner must fill out a food service application. Fire Department – Applicant should arrange to have a fire inspection of the bar and kitchen. Engineering Department – No Engineering Department comments. 2 Conditions:  Outstanding fine to be paid $300 by William Stetson  Owner must fill out a food service application with Health Department  Applicant should arrange to have a Fire inspection of the bar and kitchen. Motion made by Councilor Walczak and second by Councilor Balakier to approve with conditions. Committee vote 6 – 0 favorable. ITEM #3 Special Permit application under Chapter 275- 58 C for the purpose of eating and drinking establishment with the consumption of alcohol located at 1264 Granby Road. Applicant Zhi Tan 28 Orlando Street Agawam, MA 01030 Mr. Tan was present at the meeting. He stated that the current owner is retiring and he will be taking over the business. Everything will stay the same except ownership. Councilor Tillotson stated that the business is located in a residential neighborhood. Councilor Labrie stated that the applicant owns a restaurant on Grattan Street and works well with the neighborhood. Reports read from the following departments: Planning Department – Property is zoned Business A; eating and drinking places with the consumption of alcohol in Business A Districts require a Special Permit. Applicant is looking to obtain a liquor (all alcohol) license for the consumption of alcohol for an existing establishment as new owners, this requires a new Special Permit for the new owners. Planning sees no issue with the proposed Special Permit – this site has had a Special Permit for alcohol consumption in the past; and Planning recommends approval of the Special Permit. Engineering Department – Submitted site plan proposes no site work. No Engineering Department comments. Fire Department – Renovations to install commercial cooking may trigger a sprinkler and alarm system requirements. Review occupant load. Conditions:  Subject to Department report recommendations Motion made by Councilor Laflamme and second by Councilor Balakier to approve. Committee vote 6 – 0 favorable. 3 ITEM #4 Special Permit application under Chapter 275-58 (C) (4) for the purpose of banquet hall – all alcohol beverage license located at 60 Cabot Street. Applicant Richard Stewart 153 Allen Street, Apt. E Springfield, MA 01108 Richard Stewart was present at the meeting. He stated that he is proposing a banquet hall at this location. The basement will be used for storage only. Reports read from the following: Planning Department – Property is zoned Business A; eating and drinking places with the consumption of alcohol in Business A Districts require a Special Permit. Applicant is looking to obtain a Liquor (all alcohol) license for the consumption of alcohol current establishment as new owners, this requires a new Special Permit for the new owners. Planning sees no issue with the proposed Special Permit – this site has had a Special Permit for alcohol consumption in the past and Planning recommends approval of the Special Permit. Engineering Department – No site work is proposed according to submitted plan. #66 is displayed at building door. #66 was assigned to the lounge section in 1965. #60 was assigned to restaurant section in 1965. Number on building must display #60 and #66. Fire Department – City Assessor database does not show a 60 Cabot Street. This is the right side of 66 Cabot Street, a former Yaad Food Store and restaurant. Need building code review to turn into a banquet hall. Fire alarm system upgrade. Occupant load needs to be determined. There was a fitness center operating in the basement. Need clarification on use of basement. Councilor Balakier stated that there is an outstanding water bill for this property that needs to be addressed. Councilor Laflamme stated that the Council will need to see a lease agreement for this property. Conditions:  All Department requirements/conditions are to be satisfied before approval. (Fire, Building, etc.)  Water Bill to be paid before next Thursday  Copy of lease agreement to be provided by applicant Motion made by Councilor Laflamme and second by Councilor Balakier to approve with conditions. Committee vote 6 – 0 favorable. ITEM #5 Special Permit application under Chapter 275-58 (C) (4) for the purpose of a new jazz and karaoke establishment / restaurant – all alcohol beverage license located at 66 Cabot Street. 4 Applicant Sheena Watkins 146 Draper Street Springfield, MA 01108 Sheena Watkins and her attorney Neil Phillips were present at the meeting via zoom. The applicant is proposing a karaoke and live jazz establishment. Councilor Balakier stated that there is an outstanding water bill for this property. Reports read from the following: Planning Department - Property is zoned Business A; eating and drinking places with the consumption of alcohol in Business A Districts require a Special Permit. Applicant is looking to obtain a Liquor (all alcohol) license for the consumption of alcohol current establishment as new owners, this requires a new Special Permit for the new owners. Planning sees no issue with the proposed Special Permit – this site has had a Special Permit for alcohol consumption in the past and Planning recommends approval of the Special Permit. Engineering Department – Submitted site plan shows existing information only. If no site work is proposed, no Engineering Department comments. See comments for #60 Cabot Street Special Permit application. Fire Department – Need occupant load review – currently 72. Live entertainment will require fire alarm system upgrade. There was a fitness center tenant operations in the basement. Need clarification on use of basement. Clarification on the relationship to the banquet hall application for 60 Cabot Street which is the right side of this building and not an actual separate address. The applicant stated that the basement of the building will be used for storage. The committee informed the applicant that a lease agreement will need to be provided. Conditions:  All Departments must have approval of conditions being met  Address of building #60 and #66 Cabot Street from Engineering to be clarified  Storage in basement only  Pay outstanding bill/water from owner  Copy of lease required for petitioner before next meeting Motion made by Councilor Laflamme and second by Councilor Balakier to approve with conditions. Committee vote 6 – 0 favorable. ITEM #6 Minutes – September 29, 2021 Motion made by Councilor Laflamme and second by Councilor Balakier to approve. Motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 7:41 PM. 5