Zoning Board of Appeals

Zoning Board of Appeals Voting Record and Minutes The Zoning Board of Appeals of the City of Chicopee public hearing for Wednesday, February 12, 2025, 6:30 PM in City Hall Annex, Fourth Floor, Chambers Conference Room, 274 Front Street, Chicopee, MA 01013. Meeting was brought to order by Anthony Gallant at 6:30 PM. Board of Appeals attendance: Member Name Present Absent Excused Regular Anthony Gallant, Chair X Regular Carissa Lisee, Vice Chair X Regular Katherine Baldiga, Clerk X Regular Gary Stamborski X Regular Julia Sudol X Assoc. Carlos Felix X Assoc. Thomas Tetreault X Assoc. Theresa Devlin 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 Note: Associate Member Carlos Felix voted in place of Regular Member Gary Stamborski who was excused from the meeting. Item 1: Variance from Chapter 275-52 Frontage from 100’ to 90’; area from 10,000 SF to 8,105 SF and depth from 100’ to 90’ to create a new single-family building lot and leave the existing house at 39 Polaski Ave. on a lot with frontage from 100’ to 75’; area from 10,000 SF to 6,750 SF and depth from 100’ to 90.06’. Location: 0 and 39 Polaski Ave., Chicopee, MA. Applicant: Elizabeth Liptrap, 59 Oakwood Dr., Coventry, CT 06238 Notes: The Applicant presented her petition and provided the Board with a brief history of the property. The proposal is to separate the existing house from the vacant lot and create a new building lot for a single-family house. The Applicant explained they do not intend on building the new house themselves but plan to sell the property as a building lot. The Board inquired if any Abutters contacted the Planning Department on this issue. Staff reported there had been no inquiries about the petition and explained that if granted the Variance was valid for one year from the date of its approval and construction must commence on the property within that year for the Variance to be considered exercised. Staff also explained that the Planning Board had granted a Waiver of Frontage. The Board voted to approve the Variance. Motion to approve was made by Carissa Lisee and seconded by Carlos Felix. Vote was 5-0 to approve. Member Voting members Approve Deny Table Abstain Regular Anthony Gallant, Chair X Regular Carissa Lisee, Vice Chair X Regular Katherine Baldiga, Clerk X Regular Julia Sudol X Assoc. Carlos Felix X 1 Item 2: Variance from Chapter 275-62 Building height from 60’ to 75’+/- to allow for the construction of a new high bay freezer building. Location: 149 and 257 Plainfield St. Chicopee, MA. Applicant: Pioneer Valley Refrigerated Warehouse, Inc. 149 Plainfield St. Chicopee, MA 01013 Notes: The Applicant and their legal representative presented the petition to the Board. They explained that due to property constraints they are proposing to build a taller building. The City Ordinance allows for a maximum height of 60’ in and Industrial Zone. Staff explained this was one step in a multi-step process leading to the construction of the new building. The Fire Chief has some questions about the proposal. Staff explained that those questions would be addressed during the Site Plan approval process with the Planning Board. The construction of the new building would also include reconfiguration of vehicular circulation, parking and stormwater management. The Board asked questions, notably where the refrigeration units would be located. The Applicant confirmed they would be on the roof. Staff reported that it had one call regarding the petition that was informational only. Staff explained the approval and appeal process. The Board voted to approve the Variance. Motion to approve was made by Anthony Gallant and seconded by Carissa Lisee. Vote was 5-0 to approve. Member Voting members Approve Deny Table Abstain Regular Anthony Gallant, Chair X Regular Carissa Lisee, Vice Chair X Regular Katherine Baldiga, Clerk X Regular Julia Sudol X Assoc. Carlos Felix X Item 3: Minutes from December 11, 2024 Motion to approve was made by Katherine Baldiga and seconded by Julia Sudol. Vote was 5-0 to approve. Member Voting members Approve Deny Table Abstain Regular Anthony Gallant, Chair X Regular Carissa Lisee, Vice Chair X Regular Katherine Baldiga, Clerk X Regular Julia Sudol X Assoc. Carlos Felix X Item 4: Discussion - Old/New Business Notes: Staff noted there may be an Appeal of a Building Commissioner’s Decision on the agenda for the March hearing but couldn’t confirm at the time. Item 5: Adjournment - Next scheduled meeting is March 12, 2025. Motion to adjourn was made by Anthony Gallant and seconded by Julia Sudol. Vote was 5-0 to adjourn. Member Voting members Approve Deny Table Abstain Regular Anthony Gallant, Chair X Regular Carissa Lisee, Vice Chair X Regular Katherine Baldiga, Clerk X Regular Julia Sudol X Assoc. Carlos Felix X Meeting adjourned at 6:58 PM. 2