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Date: 8/3/2021
HOLYOKE – The Holyoke Planning Board hosted a public meeting on July 27 regarding the construction of the Library Commons located on 193 Chestnut St.
Kyle Young, of Dietz & Co Architects, said the project is looking to submit final documentation to the board ahead of their request for a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy (TCO). “The last pieces as of today are the close-out documents and a very short list of incomplete items,” Young said.
No major changes occurred with the Commons since Young last met with the board in May. Among the last pieces needed for completion, the building is set to undergo Life and Safety Inspections as well as submitting a final Stormwater Plan. There is also one area of the plan left that needs to be planted. “We anticipate tenant move in on Aug. 15,” Young said.
Young envisioned TCO approval occurring before the end of the month before receiving a final Certificate of Occupancy by the end of August. Board member Jeff Burkott, who visited the building site a week prior, felt that a TCO was a fair assessment.
“Those porches are rather impressive. The way the building has been paneled with various shades of slate colors makes a very interesting architectural design. It’s certainly a nice addition” said Burkott.
Looking ahead, Young noted that Phase 2 of the Commons is set to get going soon, while the owner also looks forward to a potential Phase 3. “I’m sure it’s going to be a catalyst for further development around there,” board member John Kelley said about the project’s ongoing construction.
Additionally, The Holyoke Planning Board heard a six-month update on The Holyoke Landing, a retail project located off Lower Westfield Rd. near The Holyoke Mall. Kevin Solli, of Solli Engineering, shared that his team is beginning construction on building one on the corner of the site after receiving approval at the end of last year.
“There is going to be a Starbucks with a drive-through [on the left side] and a Sleep Number mattress firm [on the right side],” said Solli. While building one is still looking for a middle tenant, Solli revealed that building two, the space closest to the intersection, is going to be a Popeye’s restaurant. That space is currently progressing with their building permit application.
Solli said construction is going well, with foundations and storm water detention systems already being formed for building one. He also laid out his vision for the building’s development in the upcoming months. “The schedule is to hopefully have this building out of the ground by November and release it to the tenants later this fall. [The tenants] plan to be open early next spring,” said Solli.
For building three, the developer is pursuing a wide net of tenants to occupy the space. When asked whether the space is pursuing retailers outside of the previously approved qualifications, Solli said “we’re certainly hoping to secure tenants within of what currently stands.” In conclusion, the Planning Board decided to issue another six-month update after hearing about the Landing’s “encouraging” progress.
The board also reviewed the site plan for the Holyoke Community Charter School on 2200 Northampton St. The school issued a waiver regarding their signs, requesting for an increase in size for both the main building and the gymnasium. They also issued a waiver request regarding the addition of isometric drawings.
The isometric waiver was quickly approved, but before discussing the signage, the board reviewed the building’s propane installation. “Our concern comes from a safety perspective,” said Kelley. After discussion, the board agreed that the school will have to provide additional documents from the Fire Department to confirm the building’s safety standards.
For the sign, the school requested to increase their two signs by more than 75 square feet. The board felt that the increase was in line with the school’s other signage, approving both signs off the basis that they won’t interrupt the buildings around them.
The Holyoke Planning Board will meet again on Aug. 10. They are tentatively scheduled to discuss The Dunkin Log Cabin.