Planning Board

Chicopee Planning Board Voting Record and Minutes The Planning Board of the City of Chicopee public hearing for Thursday, December 5, 2024 at 7 PM in the RiverMills Senior Center, Classroom 30, First Floor, 5 West Main St., Chicopee, MA 01020 and via video conference (Zoom). Meeting was brought to order at 7:00 PM. Planning Board Attendance Member Present Absent Excused Michael Sarnelli, Chair X Cynthia Labrie, Vice Chair X Eric Oulette, Clerk X Tom Reniewicz X Jay Paul X Rajesh Sanghvi 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: Zone Change from Commercial A to Industrial for 1.33 acres of land to create one contiguous zoning district and allow industrial uses on the entire property. Location: McKinstry Ave. Assessor Map 362, Parcel 46. Applicant: Gramntad, LLC c/o Clark Wojtowicz, 295 Chicopee St., Chicopee, MA 01013 Notes: Robert Levesque of R. Levesque Associates presented the petition on behalf of the Applicant. Mr. Levesque explained the Applicant was requesting to change the Commercial A portion of his property to Industrial as the Commercial A portion is surrounded by Industrial zoning. Staff explained that it was in favor of the request because it would eliminate a split-zoned property and allow the Applicant to fully utilize his property. A few Abutters were in attendance. They inquired about the need to change the zoning. Staff explained that the change would allow the full, legal use of the property and that any industrial uses that may be currently occurring on the Commercial A portion of the property technically are being conducted illegally. Abutters asked about a proposed new building on the property. Staff explained that any proposal of 1,000 SF or larger would have to come before the Planning Board for approval of a site plan, and any Abutters within 300’ would be notified of that hearing if and when it is scheduled. Staff also explained that the Planning Board was only a recommending body for a Zone Change and that the City Council is the granting authority. Motion to recommend approval was made by Cynthia Labrie and seconded by Eric Oulette. Vote was 6-0 to recommend approval to the City Council. Member Approve Deny Table Abstain Michael Sarnelli, Chair X Cynthia Labrie, Vice Chair X Eric Oulette, Clerk X Tom Reniewicz X Jay Paul X Rajesh Sanghvi X ITEM 2: Definitive Subdivision Plan to extend the Better Way ROW into City property and create a three-lot industrial subdivision. Location: Better Way in vicinity of Goodwin St. Applicant: The City of Chicopee c/o the Planning Department, 17 Springfield St., Chicopee, MA 01013 Notes: Jeff Galarneau of VHB presented the Subdivision Plans on behalf of the Applicant. Mr. Galarneau reviewed the SPRAC comments and provided responses to each comment. The Board members had a few questions and comments. The Board discussed the plans and SPRAC comments and voted to approve the Definitive Subdivision Plans and accept the SPRAC comments as Conditions of Approval. Staff also noted that an ANR plan was required to officially separate the three lots. Motion to approve the Definitive Subdivision Plans with Conditions was made by Cynthia Labrie and seconded by Jay Paul. Vote was 6-0 to approve the Subdivision Plans with Conditions. Member Approve Deny Table Abstain Michael Sarnelli, Chair X Cynthia Labrie, Vice Chair X Eric Oulette, Clerk X Tom Reniewicz X Jay Paul X Rajesh Sanghvi X ITEM 3: Preliminary Site Plan for the construction of a Self-Storage Facility and office with associated stormwater and site improvements. Location: Shawinigan Dr. Assessor Map 187, Parcel 1B. Applicant: Patriot Holdings, LLC. 4007 Dean Martin Dr. Las Vegas, NV 89103 Notes: Jeffrey Lebeau of Hancock Associates presented the Preliminary Site Plans on behalf of the Applicant. He reviewed the SPRAC comments with the Board. After the SPRAC comments were reviewed Staff stated that it was the opinion of the Planning and Engineering Department Staff that the plans were not ready for approval for several reasons especially the elevations did not match the site plans, and the two dead ended dive aisles that exceeded the allowable 150’ maximum length. The Board voted to table the plans to February 6, 2025. Motion to table to February 6, 2025 was made by Cynthia Labrie and seconded by Jay Paul. Vote was 6-0 to table to February 6, 2025 Member Approve Deny Table Abstain Michael Sarnelli, Chair X Cynthia Labrie, Vice Chair X Eric Oulette, Clerk X Tom Reniewicz X Jay Paul X Rajesh Sanghvi X ITEM 4: Waiver of Frontage from Chapter 275-52 frontage from 100’ to 61’+/- to allow for the construction of a single- family house. Location: 1230 Montgomery St. Assessor Map 583, Parcel 13. Applicant: Donald J. Ruel, 72 Parenteau Ct., Chicopee, MA 01020 Notes: The Applicant was not in attendance to present the petition. The Board voted to table the Waiver to January 2, 2025. Motion to table was made by Eric Oulette and seconded by Jay Paul. Vote was 6-0 to table to January 2, 2025. Member Approve Deny Table Abstain Michael Sarnelli, Chair X Cynthia Labrie, Vice Chair X Eric Oulette, Clerk X Tom Reniewicz X Jay Paul X Rajesh Sanghvi X ITEM 5: Waiver of Frontage from Chapter 275-54 frontage from 75’ to 61.49’ to create a single-family building lot from property at 1601 Westover Rd. Applicant: Carol McCarthy, 116 Gelinas Dr., Chicopee, MA 01020 Notes: The Applicant presented her petition to the Board stating her request is to subdivide the existing house lot into three lots. One lot for the existing house and two new additional building lots. Staff explained that since the property was zoned Residential C the frontage requirement for a single-family house is 75’. There were a few Abutters in attendance, none of which were in opposition to the petition. Motion to approve was made by Jay Paul and seconded by Eric Oulette. Vote was 6-0 to approve. Member Approve Deny Table Abstain Michael Sarnelli, Chair X Cynthia Labrie, Vice Chair X Eric Oulette, Clerk X Tom Reniewicz X Jay Paul X Rajesh Sanghvi X ITEM 6: Lot Release – Release of final two lots in the Stockbridge Estates Subdivision in lieu of cash deposit for remaining trees to be installed. This was acted upon in December of 2023 however, the official release paperwork was never signed. Notes: The official Lot Release was approved in December of 2023. However, for some unknown reason the release paperwork was never signed. The Board signed the required paperwork. ITEM 7: Endorsement of Subdivision Plan As-Built – Jean Circle, a 6-lot residential Subdivision approved by the Planning Board in 1999. Notes: The Board tabled this request at their October 3, 2024 hearing. Since the Board was forced to cancel its meeting in November 2024 the request was moved to the December 5, 2024 hearing. Staff noted that the Applicant had not come forward with any further information. The Board tabled the request once more to January 2, 2025. Motion to table was made by Eric Oulette and seconded by Jay Paul. Vote was 6-0 to table to January 2, 2025. Member Approve Deny Table Abstain Michael Sarnelli, Chair X Cynthia Labrie, Vice Chair X Eric Oulette, Clerk X Tom Reniewicz X Jay Paul X Rajesh Sanghvi X ITEM 8a: ANRs – 0 Robbins Road – Trafa Pharmaceuticals Notes: Staff explained the ANR reminding the Board that they had recently approved the Definitive Site plan for this property. Motion to approve was made by Cynthia Labrie and seconded by Jay Paul. Vote was 6-0 to approve. Member Approve Deny Table Abstain Michael Sarnelli, Chair X Cynthia Labrie, Vice Chair X Eric Oulette, Clerk X Tom Reniewicz X Jay Paul X Rajesh Sanghvi X ITEM 8b: ANRs – Empire St. – Chicopee Property Management – Risa Teall Notes: Staff explained the ANR to the Board, noting that the Planning Department had received numerous calls on proposed building lots on the property. Motion to approve was made by Cynthia Labrie and seconded by Jay Paul. Vote was 6-0 to approve. Member Approve Deny Table Abstain Michael Sarnelli, Chair X Cynthia Labrie, Vice Chair X Eric Oulette, Clerk X Tom Reniewicz X Jay Paul X Rajesh Sanghvi X ITEM 9: Minutes from October 3, 2024 Motion to approve was made by Thomas Reniewicz and seconded by Jay Paul. Vote was 6-0 to approve. Member Approve Deny Table Abstain Michael Sarnelli, Chair X Cynthia Labrie, Vice Chair X Eric Oulette, Clerk X Tom Reniewicz X Jay Paul X Rajesh Sanghvi X ITEM 10: New Business/Discussion Notes: Staff noted there were two new items to place on the January 2, 2025 agenda. ITEM 11: Adjournment next meeting is scheduled for January 2, 2025. Motion to adjourn was made by Eric Oulette and seconded by Jay Paul. Vote was 6-0 to adjourn. Member Approve Deny Table Abstain Michael Sarnelli, Chair X Cynthia Labrie, Vice Chair X Eric Oulette, Clerk X Tom Reniewicz X Jay Paul X Rajesh Sanghvi X Meeting adjourned at 8:42 PM.