Planning Board

Chicopee Planning Board Voting Record and Minutes The Planning Board of the City of Chicopee public hearing for Thursday, February 6, 2025 at 7 PM RiverMills Senior Center, Classroom 30, First Floor, 5 West Mian Street, Chicopee, MA 01020 Meeting was brought to order at 7:02 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: (Tabled from January 2, 2025) Zone Change from Residential A to Industrial for 7.5 acres on Burnett Rd. Assessor Map 238, Parcel 3. To eliminate a split zoned property and allow for consistent zoning and use across the property. Applicant: UFPT MA, LLC. 100 Hale St., Newburyport, MA 01950 Notes: John Furman of VHB presented the petition to the Board. He explained the Applicant is proposing the zone change to eliminate a split-zoned property to allow for consistent zoning across the property and for the construction of a parking lot on a small portion of the property. No abutters were in attendance. Motion to recommend approval to the City Council was made by Cynthia Labrie and seconded by Thomas Reniewicz. Vote was 4-0 to recommend approval. Member Approve Deny Table Abstain Michael Sarnelli, Chair X Cynthia Labrie, Vice Chair X Tom Reniewicz X Rajesh Sanghvi X ITEM 2: Zone Change from Business A to Residential B for 12,400 +/- SF located at 519 Chicopee St. Chicopee, MA. for the purpose of eliminating a split-zoned property and create uniform zoning across the entire property. Applicant: Andrew Lemay, same address. Notes: The Applicant was not in attendance when this item was opened. The Board voted to table until after Item 8 was heard to allow for the possibility of the Applicant arriving. Motion to table until after Item 8 was made by Thomas Reniewicz and seconded by Cynthia Labrie. Vote was 4-0 to table until after Item 8. Member Approve Deny Table Abstain Michael Sarnelli, Chair X Cynthia Labrie, Vice Chair X Tom Reniewicz X Rajesh Sanghvi X Notes: After the Board had completed the hearing for Item 8 the Applicant still had not arrived for the hearing. Staff recommended the Board table the hearing on the Zone Change to their next meeting on March 6, 2025. Motion to table to March 6, 2025 was made by Cynthia Labrie and seconded by Thomas Reniewicz. Vote was 4-0 to table to March 6, 2025. Member Approve Deny Table Abstain Michael Sarnelli, Chair X Cynthia Labrie, Vice Chair X Tom Reniewicz X Rajesh Sanghvi X ITEM 3: (Tabled from December 5, 2024) 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: Jeff Lebeau of Sherman & Frydryk presented the Preliminary Site Plans on behalf of the Applicant. Mr. Lebeau reviewed the issues with the Board that led to a tabling of the Plans on December 5, 2024. He noted there were discrepancies between the site plans and the elevations as well as circulation issues. Staff noted the major issues were resolved adequately to allow the Board to approve the Preliminary Site Plans with conditions. Mr. Lebeau noted minor revisions could be expected once the Definitive Site Plans were submitted and reviewed. The Board considered the Preliminary Site Plan SPRAC comments as conditions of approval to be addressed in the Definitive Site Plan submittal. Motion to approve the Preliminary Site Plans with conditions was made by Cynthia Labrie and seconded by Rajesh Sanghvi. Vote was 4-0 to approve the Preliminary Site Plans with Conditions. Member Approve Deny Table Abstain Michael Sarnelli, Chair X Cynthia Labrie, Vice Chair X Tom Reniewicz X Rajesh Sanghvi X ITEM 4A: Waiver of Site Plan Regulations for Waiver of Grading and Stormwater Management Plan - Modified Definitive Site Plan for modifications to the circulation and parking at the existing commercial development. Location: 246 McKinstry Ave. (corner of Meadow St.) Applicant: Salmar Realty, LLC. c/o Peter Martins, 4 Harding Ave. Ludlow, MA 01056. Notes: Rebecca Li of R. Levesque Associates presented the Modified Definitive Site Plans on behalf of the Applicant. Ms. Li explained the purpose of the plan modifications was to allow for additional cars in the queue for the drive-thru. She reviewed the SPRAC comments with the Board. She noted that there would be a reduction in parking spaces from 60 to 52 but that the property would still exceed the required number of spaces per the Zoning Ordinance. Ms. Li explained there would be a slight increase in impervious surface cover, but the existing stormwater system was adequately sized to manage the increase. She noted that two light poles would have to be relocated. Staff recommended approval with the condition that all SPRAC comments be addressed on a revised set of plans approved by the Planning Department prior to the commencement of any site work. Prior to the vote the Board noted there was a Waiver of Site Plan Regulations submitted requesting to waive the submittal of a Grading and Stormwater Management Plan since grading and cut and fill areas were very minimal from the original site plan. Ms. Li Explained the waiver. The Board agreed the changes were very minimal and voted to approve the waiver. Motion to approve the requested Waiver of Site Plan Regulations requiring the submittal of a Grading and Stormwater Management Plan was made by Cynthia Labrie and seconded by Thomas Reniewicz. Vote was 4-0 to approve the requested Waiver. Member Approve Deny Table Abstain Michael Sarnelli, Chair X Cynthia Labrie, Vice Chair X Tom Reniewicz X Rajesh Sanghvi X ITEM 4B: Modified Definitive Site Plan for modifications to the circulation and parking at the existing commercial development. Location: 246 McKinstry Ave. (corner of Meadow St.) Applicant: Salmar Realty, LLC. c/o Peter Martins, 4 Harding Ave. Ludlow, MA 01056. Notes: Rebecca Li of R. Levesque Associates presented the Modified Definitive Site Plans on behalf of the Applicant. Ms. Li explained the purpose of the plan modifications was to allow for additional cars in the queue for the drive-thru. She reviewed the SPRAC comments with the Board. She noted that there would be a reduction in parking spaces from 60 to 52 but that the property would still exceed the required number of spaces per the Zoning Ordinance. Ms. Li explained there would be a slight increase in impervious surface cover, but the existing stormwater system was adequately sized to manage the increase. She noted that two light poles would have to be relocated. Staff recommended approval with the condition that all SPRAC comments be addressed on a revised set of plans approved by the Planning Department prior to the commencement of any site work. Motion to approve the Modified Definitive Site Plans with the noted Condition was made by Cynthia Labrie and seconded by Thomas Reniewicz. Vote was 4-0 to approve the Modified Definitive Site Plans with the noted Condition. Member Approve Deny Table Abstain Michael Sarnelli, Chair X Cynthia Labrie, Vice Chair X Tom Reniewicz X Rajesh Sanghvi X ITEM 5: (Tabled from January 2, 2025) Waiver of Frontage from Chapter 275-53, frontage from 100’ to 20’ to create a two-family building lot. Location: Greenwich St., Assessor Map 471, Parcel 28B. Applicant: Vyacheslav Tsukanov, 37 Pequot Rd., Southampton, MA 01073 Notes: The Applicant presented his petition to the Board. During the discussion on the matter it was determined that since the property was zoned Residential B the Applicant had received a Special Permit from the City Council granting him relief of the dimension requirements of his lot. Since the Waiver was not required by the Planning Board based on the City Council’s decision, Staff explained that the Applicant could request a Withdrawal of the Waiver of Frontage application. Staff also noted that Waivers of Frontage once granted do not expire but Special Permits expire after one year if not acted upon. The Applicant requested to withdraw his Waiver application. The Board voted to accept the withdrawal. Motion to accept the Applicant’s withdrawal of his application was made by Cynthia Labrie and seconded by Rajesh Sanghvi. Vote was 4-0 to accept the Applicant’s withdrawal. Member Approve Deny Table Abstain Michael Sarnelli, Chair X Cynthia Labrie, Vice Chair X Tom Reniewicz X Rajesh Sanghvi X ITEM 6: (Tabled from December 5, 2024 and January 2, 2025) 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: Robert Wojtczak represented the Applicant and spoke on his behalf. Mr. Wojtczak explained the Applicant’s desire to construct a single-family house on the property. He noted the City Council recently granted a Zone Change to Residential A to allow for the construction of a single-family house. Mr. Wojtczak explained the Applicant’s original desire was to construct a two-family dwelling on the property however it would have required a change to Residential B which would have constituted a spot zone and therefore not allowed. The Board discussed the Waiver and voted to approve. Motion to approve was made by Cynthia Labrie and seconded by Thomas Reniewicz. Vote was 4-0 to approve. Member Approve Deny Table Abstain Michael Sarnelli, Chair X Cynthia Labrie, Vice Chair X Tom Reniewicz X Rajesh Sanghvi X ITEM 7: Waiver of Frontage from Chapter 275-52 Frontage from 100’ to 90’ to create a new single-family building lot and leave existing house at 39 Polaski Ave. on a lot with 75’. Applicant: Elizabeth Liptrap, 59 Oakwood Dr., Coventry, CT 06238 Notes: The Applicant presented her case to the Board. She explained the history of the property and noted both properties were in common ownership. Staff explained the Merger Doctrine to the Board stating that since the lots were in common ownership and didn’t meet the minimum lot size based on Zoning, they were considered one lot for the purpose of meeting the Zoning requirement and in order to subdivide them Waivers and Variances were required. The Board discussed the petition and voted 3 in favor to 1 opposed therefore approving the Waiver of Frontage. Motion to approve was made by Cynthia Labrie and seconded by Rajesh Sanghvi. Vote was 3 in favor to 1 opposed. Member Approve Deny Table Abstain Michael Sarnelli, Chair X Cynthia Labrie, Vice Chair X Tom Reniewicz X Rajesh Sanghvi X ITEM 8: (Tabled from October 3, December 5, 2024 and January 2, 2025) Endorsement of Subdivision Plan As-Built Jean Circle, a 6-lot residential Subdivision approved by the Planning Board in 1999. Notes: Staff recommended denial of this request citing the required tree plantings on the As-Built plan did not match the approved subdivision plan. There has been no communication by the developer since the request was first tabled in October 2024. The Board denied the request noting that once the developer has met the approved subdivision plans, the request could be submitted for review. Motion to deny was made by Cynthia Labrie and seconded by Rajesh Sanghvi. Vote was 4-0 to deny. Member Approve Deny Table Abstain Michael Sarnelli, Chair X Cynthia Labrie, Vice Chair X Tom Reniewicz X Rajesh Sanghvi X ITEM 9: ANRs Notes: Staff noted there were no ANRs to act upon. ITEM 10: Minutes from December 5, 2024 and January 2, 2025 Motion to approve the minutes from December 5, 2024 and January 2, 2025 was made by Thomas Reniewicz and seconded by Rajesh Sanghvi. Vote was 4-0 to approve. Member Approve Deny Table Abstain Michael Sarnelli, Chair X Cynthia Labrie, Vice Chair X Tom Reniewicz X Rajesh Sanghvi X ITEM 11: New Business/Discussion Notes: Staff provided some updated information regarding the new Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Law enacted by the State. ITEM 12: Adjournment next meeting is scheduled for March 6, 2025. Motion to adjourn was made by Cynthia Labrie and seconded by Thomas Reniewicz. Vote was 4-0 to adjourn. Member Approve Deny Table Abstain Michael Sarnelli, Chair X Cynthia Labrie, Vice Chair X Tom Reniewicz X Rajesh Sanghvi X Meeting adjourned at 7:58 PM.