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Date: 9/13/2023
LONGMEADOW — A public hearing was conducted by the Longmeadow Planning Board on a zone change request for 916 Williams St., the former First Church of Christ, Scientist.
At the Sept. 6 meeting, attorney Jeffrey Roberts represented Frank Colaccino, owner of Colvest Group, which has owned the property since 2015. Robert said Colvest Group was seeking a zone change from residential to business to allow for the development of high-end retail shops or restaurants. This would provide “new growth tax revenue” for the town, Roberts said.
Colvest Group went before Town Meeting two years ago with a similar plan for the site. The matter was narrowly defeated with just nine votes short of the two-thirds majority required.
Roberts said Colaccino was invested in the community as evidenced by the fact that he was building a house in town and had been involved with several area organizations and charities.
Chris Melard, an architect with Phase Zero Design, presented plans for what he described as a “natural extension of the Longmeadow Shops,” on which his firm has worked in the past. He said the shops could be in a single building of approximately 30,000 square feet, with various façades to visually break it up, similar to the design of the Longmeadow Shops, or three separate smaller buildings could house the businesses. He estimated the size of those buildings would range from 4,500 square feet to 13,000 square feet. The buildings would be a single story to “keep the charm that the town has,” Melard said.
The curb cuts on Williams Street would be remain the same and no entrance or exit would be located on the side street, Redfern Drive. Melard said the existing parking meets requirements for the uses presented.
Planning Board Chair Cheryl Thibodeau asked what tenants Colvest Group was hoping to attract. Colaccino said they were looking for high-end tenants. “Rent is going to be a little bit higher,” so only higher-end businesses will be able to afford the location. He added, “We think Longmeadow is a high-end town.”
Planning Board member Bryant Miller asked if there was enough of a customer base for such high-end businesses. Planning Board member Walter Gunn said, “Longmeadow is a destination town,” and added that 60% of customers at the Longmeadow Shops are not residents.
Planning Board member Bruce Colton said the plan appears like a “less intensive” development than the previous proposal because the buildings would be a single story rather than two. He did say he was a little concerned by the emphasis on “high end” businesses, because not everyone in town is wealthy.
Gunn said he is glad Phase Zero Design is the architectural firm working on the project because it “knows the drill” when it comes to what Longmeadow wants businesses to look like. He also acknowledged Colacino’s reputation and history in the area.
Annalisa Facente owns a home on Redfern Drive, directly abutting the property. She told the Planning Board that because the vote to rezone the property did not pass at the previous Town Meeting, “The neighborhood has spoken.” She expressed concern for children in the neighborhood and said they added traffic would cause an “unnecessary tragedy.” If the property is rezoned and developed, she urged “close monitoring.”
Resident William Fitzgerald said he knows Colaccino and said he was confident a happy medium could be found with neighbors. He also said the purpose was a good use of the land and would boost tax revenue.
Another resident, Tom Shea, said he is familiar with Colaccino’s reputation and that he had refurbished other locations in town. “Retail done right is thriving,” Shea said.
John Tomaszewski, who lives on Frank Smith Avenue near the intersection of Williams Street and Redfern Drive, spoke in favor of the zone change. He said it would benefit the town and his family enjoys the walkability of the shops.
Resident Tyler Saremi said he supports development, and that the property has been vacant “for a while now.” He saw the Colvest proposal as an opportunity to work with a “reputable developer.”
The Planning Board recommended the request for a zone change for inclusion on the Nov. 7 Town Meeting warrant.