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Reminder Assistant Editor EAST LONGMEADOW Marilyn Richards' last Planning Board meeting was a lengthy and productive one. The board discussed a possible zone change, finished their work on the proposed home-based trade bylaw and approved a plethora of signage and site plan waiver applications. 250 North Main Street Charlie Richards, who has owned the undeveloped commercial property on North Main Street for the past two decades, met with the Planning Board to talk about the possibility of changing the lot's zoning to business. The surrounding properties are zoned as business and Richards is interested in selling the land as a piece of business property. Planning Director Robyn MacDonald explained that commercial property is used for things like office space while business property is used for retail and restaurants. When he originally wanted to develop the commercial property, Richards discovered it would have cost $4 - 5 million and he said he did not have the resources to pursue that venture. The property has been on and off the real estate market for the past 20 years but Richards believes the reason it hasn't sold is because buyers don't want to deal with asking for a zone change themselves. "If you put in a 9 to 5 office building it could generate a lot more traffic [at the most congested times of the day]," Planning Board Vice-Chair Tom Morrissette said, "but if you put in a restaurant, that's a different form of traffic. If we open it up, we open it up to any kind of business." "We need more retail space in East Longmeadow," Don Anderson, Planning Board member, stated, "but that corridor already has a lot more afternoon/evening traffic. It can work, it just has to be really well thought out." Planning Board member Pete Punderson agreed, adding there were "some issues but a lot of positives" when it came to changing the zoning. "It's a valid quest and a reasonable quest," Marilyn Richards, Planning Board chair, said. She told Richards his next step should be to host a public hearing to gather town sentiment. Anderson suggested Richards move forward with his plan. Tom Wilson, vice-president of the East Longmeadow Small Business Association, said he's lived across the street from the property in question for 23 years and thinks what Richards is proposing "is great." Proposed Bylaw Recommendation Since the Special Town Meeting last October, there has been much debate over and work on a new home-based trade bylaw. The April 1 meeting of the Planning Board was the last time semantics would be debated before the bylaw is presented to the voting public. An e-mail from resident David Lawless asked if the proposed bylaw counteracted the existing accessory structure bylaw. The Planning Board, based on his concern, added language that said buildings cannot be used for business uses unless the home-based trade bylaw passes. Otherwise, the accessory structure bylaw already in existence would be the one obeyed. The board also clarified language ensuring accessory buildings met minimum setback requirements. "This bylaw will bring businesses to light," Planning Board member Mike Przybylowicz said. "A lot of people see this as opening the floodgates it's not. It's protecting what's here." Anderson added it is not an issue of grandfathering. "I've heard people say it's a start," Richards stated. "It's not. It's an end. The special permit is a good thing." Morrissette said that that is the town's decision ultimately. After approving all the small changes in wording, the Planning Board unanimously voted to recommend the bylaw to the town. Saying Hello, Saying Goodbye The Planning Board approved signage and site plan waivers for several new businesses that will soon be opening in East Longmeadow. Two will be located at 180 Shaker Rd., two at 38 Harkness Ave., and one at 265 Benton Drive. Although Richards will not be relieved of her Planning Board duties until April 8, last Tuesday's meeting was her last. She was presented with citations from Rep. Mary Rogeness, Sen. Gale Candaras (via her aide, Darlotte Justice) and the East Longmeadow Board of Selectmen (via attorney and former Board of Selectman Larry Levine). Richards has served the town of East Longmeadow in various capacities for the past 28 years. | ||||||
