Planning Board

Chicopee Planning Board Voting Record and Minutes The Planning Board of the City of Chicopee public hearing for Thursday, December 7, 2023 at 7 PM Chambers Conference Room, 4th Floor, City Hall Annex, 274 Front Street, Chicopee, MA 01013 Meeting was brought to order at 7:00 PM. Planning Board Attendance Member Present Absent Excused Cynthia Labrie, Chair X Nathan Moreau, Vice Chair X Eric Oulette, Clerk X Tom Reniewicz X Michael Sarnelli X Jay Paul X Planning Department Staff Attendance Title Name Present Absent Excused Director Lee Pouliot X Development Manager James Dawson X Assistant Planner Patrick Collins X Associate Planner Nick Kiser X ITEM 1: Waiver of Frontage from Chapter 275-52 - Frontage from 100’ to 60’ to create a new single- family building lot from 371 East St. Location: 371 East St. Applicant: Todd and Kristen Ondrick, 371 East St. Chicopee, MA 01020 Notes: Applicant Todd Ondrick presented his petition to the Board. Board Members inquired as to why he was requesting a Waiver of Frontage when it appears that he has adequate frontage to create a new building lot with the required 100’ frontage and leave his existing house on a lot with adequate frontage. Mr. Ondrick explained the layout of his backyard, fruit trees, and desired access to the backyard were his reasons for requesting a 60’ frontage for a proposed new building lot. He stated he wanted to keep a buffer between the proposed new lot line and his fruit trees. Staff noted that only 23% of the lots in the “neighborhood” were equal to or smaller than Mr. Ondrick’s request. The Board’s vote was 2 opposed to 2 in favor. Therefore, the petition was denied. Staff explained to Mr. Ondrick that his petition was scheduled before the Zoning Board of Appeals on December 13, 2023 and pending the outcome of that hearing he could choose to appeal the Planning Board decision. Motion to approve was made by Michael Sarnelli and seconded by Nathan Moreau. Vote was 2 in favor to 2 opposed therefore, the petition was denied. Member Approve Deny Table Abstain Cynthia Labrie, Chair X Nathan Moreau, Vice Chair X Tom Reniewicz X Michael Sarnelli X ITEM 2: Lot Release of remaining two building lots in lieu of compensation for installation of remaining trees at the Stockbridge Estates Subdivision. Applicant: Waycon, Inc., 157 Britton St. Chicopee, MA 01020 Notes: Wayne Bessette of Waycon, Inc. presented his request to the Board. The Board asked Mr. Bessette how many lots he had left to build on in the subdivision. Mr. Bessette stated he had 7 lots remaining. The Board voted to accept payment for the remaining trees in lieu of the release of the final 2 lots being held. The compensation for the trees will be returned to Mr. Bessette upon completion of the tree plantings. Motion to approve the lot release and accept the monetary value of the remaining trees to be planted was made by Nathan Moreau and seconded by Michael Sarnelli. Vote was 4-0 to approve. Member Approve Deny Table Abstain Cynthia Labrie, Chair X Nathan Moreau, Vice Chair X Tom Reniewicz X Michael Sarnelli X ITEM 3: ANRs – Staff noted there were no ANR plans to act upon. ITEM 4: Minutes from November 2, 2023 Motion to approve was made by Thomas Reniewicz and seconded by Michael Sarnelli. Vote was 4-0 to approve. Member Approve Deny Table Abstain Cynthia Labrie, Chair X Nathan Moreau, Vice Chair X Tom Reniewicz X Michael Sarnelli X ITEM 5: New Business/Discussion Notes: Staff noted there was one Zone Change application and possibly 2 as-built plans for the Sycamore Lane and Morgan Circle subdivisions to endorse on the January 4, 2024 hearing agenda. ITEM 6: Adjournment next meeting is scheduled for January 4, 2024 Motion to adjourn was made by Michael Sarnelli and seconded by Nathan Moreau. Vote was 4-0 to adjouorn. Member Approve Deny Table Abstain Cynthia Labrie, Chair X Nathan Moreau, Vice Chair X Tom Reniewicz X Michael Sarnelli X Meeting adjourned at 7:16 PM.