City Council - Zoning Committee

City of Chicopee City Council Zoning Committee Members George Balakier, Chair Gary Labrie, Vice-Chair APPROVED 4-24-2024 Samuel Shumsky Timothy Wagner Robert J. Zygarowski MINUTES March 27, 2024 The following are the minutes of a public hearing held Wednesday, March 27, 2024 at 6:30 PM in the Chambers, 4th floor, City Hall Annex, 274 Front Street, Chicopee, MA 01013 and via Zoom. Members Present: Balakier, Labrie, Shumsky (zoom), Wagner (zoom), Zygarowski Also Present: Timothy Reilly (Associate City Solicitor), Scott Provost 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 Special Permit application under Chapter 275-58 (c)(5) for the purpose of a property becoming a mixed property. The creation of one residential unit in a business building located at 386 Chicopee Street. Applicant – Dance Dynamics/Angela Klusmen, 386 Chicopee Street, Chicopee, MA 01013. Angela Klusmen was present at the meeting. She stated that she is trying to get the property to be mixed use. Since the last meeting she emailed the property owner that she wanted to get the issue resolved and that they owe $16,000 in property taxes to the City. She also told them that if they weren’t going to pay it then she wasn’t going to pay her rent anymore and instead she will pay the City for the back taxes. Today when she arrived at the dance studio she found an eviction notice. According to the City Treasurer the property owner is the one that must make a payment agreement with the City. Attorney Reilly stated that the committee has two options (1) the petitioner could request to withdraw the application (2) deny the application. If the petitioner chooses to withdraw the application she may reapply at any time. If the Council denies the application the petitioner cannot reapply for two years. 1 Councilor Labrie stated that the Council cannot grant a Special Permit application if there are outstanding bills owed to the City. Councilor Zygarowski asked if the applicant has a purchase and sale agreement. Ms. Klusmen stated that she has a purchase and sale agreement but has asked the property owner to include the $16,000 that is owed in taxes to the purchase and sale agreement. Motion made by Councilor Labrie and second by Councilor Balakier to close public input. Roll Call Councilor Yes No Absent Abstained Out of Chair Balakier X Labrie X Shumsky X (zoom) Wagner (zoom) X Zygarowski X Motion passed. Ms. Klusmen stated that she is requesting to withdraw the Special Permit application. Motion made by Councilor Labrie and second by Councilor Balakier to allow the petitioner to withdraw. Roll Call Councilor Yes No Absent Abstained Out of Chair Balakier X Labrie X Shumsky X (zoom) Wagner (zoom) X Zygarowski X Motion passed. Item #2 Minutes – February 28, 2024 Motion made by Councilor Zygarowski and second by Councilor Balakier to approve. Roll Call Councilor Yes No Absent Abstained Out of Chair Balakier X Labrie X 2  Shumsky X (zoom) Wagner (zoom) X Zygarowski X Motion passed. Item #3 Adjournment Motion made by Councilor Zygarowski and second by Councilor Balakier to adjourn at 6:51 PM. Roll Call Councilor Yes No Absent Abstained Out of Chair Balakier X Labrie X Shumsky X (zoom) Wagner (zoom) X Zygarowski X Motion passed. 3