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Date: 12/20/2018
EAST LONGMEADOW – The East Longmeadow Planning Board met on Dec. 18 to discuss an open meeting law complaint, The Fields at Chestnut and Idle Moments Massage opening in the current Escape Therapeutic Massage location.
The Planning Board received a complaint from a resident regarding the discussion of a zoning change from Industrial Garden Park to Mixed Use zoning district. This was advertised, however the resident explained that this advertisement was not representative of what was discussed at the posted meeting.
“The Town of East Longmeadow does not have a mixed use district. The Planning Board, thus, its chairman decided that instead of discussing the zone change by the applicant they would then instead discuss the creation of a mixed use district by the Planning Board. I believe this is in direct violation of the open meeting law, the Planning Board continued the public hearing to 12/4/18, and again only discussed the creation of a new mixed use district by the Planning Board,” Tyde Richards read on behalf of the resident.
To rectify this, the Board decided that they would hold a separate hearing to create the bylaw under which this zone would operate, then wait for Town Council to refer that back to the Board, rather than denying the zoning change without prejudice. Planning Board Chair George Kingston explained the Board will continue it to a date uncertain which will be re–advertised.
Rick Granger of the Fields at Chestnut said 12 years ago the Fields at Chestnut worked with the Planning Board to come up with a master plan for the adult community. Over the years, the Fields at Chestnut have been working on different phases of the plan. Currently, they are on the last phase, Granger explained. He brought to the Planning Board a plan to create a cul–de–sac with an emergency egress out to Benton Drive from the Fields at Chestnut. The emergency egress will be blocked with a gate, and the Fire Department and Police Department will have access to the gates.
The Planning Board unanimously approved the cul–de–sac and emergency egress, as well as other minor changes Granger had listed.
Finally, Christina Conti came before the Planning Board and explained that Escape Therapeutic Massage would be dissolving at the end of the year and she wanted to open her own massage therapy location in the same space, 10 Crane Ave. under the name “Idle Moments Massage” in her name. The Board approved Conti’s plan unanimously.
To watch the meeting for yourself, go to ELCAT’s YouTube page at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LqaPw7NOxnA&t=2189s.