City Council - Zoning Committee

City of Chicopee City Council Zoning Committee Approved 3-26-2025 Members George Balakier, Chair Gary Labrie, Vice-Chair Samuel Shumsky Timothy Wagner Robert J. Zygarowski MINUTES March 3, 2025 The following are the minutes of a public hearing held Monday, March 3, 2025 at 6:30 PM in the Auditorium, 3rd floor, City Hall Annex, 274 Front Street, Chicopee, MA 01013 and via Zoom. Members Present: Balakier, Labrie, Wagner, Zygarowski Member Absent: Shumsky Also Present: Timothy Reilly (Associate City Solicitor, Zoom) 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 7) for the purpose of operating a towing and storage business located at 78 West St. Applicant – Cruise Control Transportation, Inc., Joshua Roy, President, 210 Charlton Rd., Sturbridge, MA 01566 Joshua Roy, Attorney Richard Maynard, and Chuck Swider were present at the meeting. Attorney Maynard stated that the special permit is for a tow and storage yard that would be consistent with past usage of the property at this location. Previous plans submitted have been revised and submitted to the City and Planning. The plan identifies parking for both the auto-body facility and the towing and storage business. The business lease for the auto-bodied business allows for 8 parking spaces and the additional spots that go with the storage and towing business, which are almost double what would be required under the bylaw. Chuck Swider stated that the committee received all the required information. This is the third time before the committee. Not sure what information is requested as it was never said. Councilor Balakier stated that this is the third time that the Zoning Committee is meeting on this application. One of the initial questions after the first meeting was clarification on the lease and the spaces that were designated for this business. After the last City Council meeting some questions/concerns were raised about parking. Councilor Balakier stated that he 1 has reached out to the Police Department and spoke with Captain Lambert regarding issues with traffic control and things of that nature. There appears to be no issues in that particular area in terms of parking. Public Input Sue Nimchick, James Street, asked if this business has only one site or two sites. She also stated that there is a divide between what the public can hear and see to really ask questions that perhaps the Councilors are not asking themselves. She also spoke about congestion and traffic creating road rage. The infrastructure in this City is finite and if we get a good business and they bust it the Police Department who is already busy will be getting calls. If parking is an issue then do what Boston does, residential parking only. Lisa Bienvenue, 34 Everett Street, stated that this has gone to committee three times because there were questions about parking and congestion in that area. No one is against the business or having a new business and it has existed for 40 years so it’s just carte blanche and the City doesn’t have to take anything new into consideration. Some issues did come up at the City Council meeting: size of the tow trucks and size needed for an impound lot. She stated that Council’s mind is not open to making this the best property for the City and making the best property for this new applicant. Scott Stuckenbruck owns 18 West Street and 20 Park Street, he’s speaking on behalf of his tenants. He spoke about parking and small lots with no driveways, the potential of noise and chaos. Motion made by Councilor Labrie and seconded by Councilor Balakier to close public input. Roll Call: Councilor Yes No Absent Abstained Out of Chair Balakier X Labrie X Shumsky X Wagner X Zygarowski X Motion passed. Councilor Labrie stated that the committee has met on this application 3 times now and there was discussion in previous meetings that the towing business would not park tow trucks on West Street overnight. He also stated that because this is a special permit it can be called in for review. Councilor Zygarowski stated that when the previous business was there for over 40 years there was never any issues. If parking becomes an issue the Councilor can up on signs. Some of the parking on the street he has found belong to the Water Department employees. Councilor Wagner stated that he has been to the previous business many times in the past and never once considered traffic to be an issue. He understands that there is a lot of on street parking but in his opinion the operations of the business are going to be contained only to those parcels. They are not going to be taking up an excessive amount of storage or parking on the streets. Motion made by Councilor Wagner and seconded by Councilor Balakier to approve with restrictions. Roll Call: Councilor Yes No Absent Abstained Out of Chair Balakier X 2  Labrie X Shumsky X Wagner X Zygarowski X Motion passed. Restrictions Permit to run with the applicant Compliance with spatial requirements of at least 10 parking spaces for towing and storage Applicant is in compliance with all requirements of the Fire Department regarding proposal Item #2 Minutes – January 29, 2025 Motion made by Councilor Zygarowski and seconded by Councilor Balakier to approve. Roll Call: Councilor Yes No Absent Abstained Out of Chair Balakier X Labrie X Shumsky X Wagner X Zygarowski X Motion passed. Item #3 Adjournment Motion made by Councilor Wagner and seconded by Councilor Balakier to adjourn at 7:10 PM. Roll Call: Councilor Yes No Absent Abstained Out of Chair Balakier X Labrie X Shumsky X Wagner X Zygarowski X Motion passed. 3