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Date: 7/19/2023
LONGMEADOW — The Longmeadow Planning Board approved changes during the July 12 meeting for the site plan of the as-yet-to-be rebuilt Maple Center shopping plaza, 899-925 Maple Rd.
David Holmes with Capital Studio Architects said the goal was to “simplify the construction.” The building’s footprint will remain the same, but the roof will be lowered by three feet. The “clocktower” feature that had been the focal point of the design was eliminated, along with a non-load-bearing “wing wall” at the new Armata’s Market. The service lines for the sprinkler system were moved to the center of the building as it is the “most cost-effective” location to connect the system to the town’s water lines.
Most other changes are aesthetic in nature. The roof will be made of asphalt shingles instead of metal and the planned panel façade will instead be synthetic stucco. Rather than individual awnings above each storefront entrance, a continuous awning will shield the sidewalk from rain along the entirety of the building’s face.
“The building looks just as interesting as it did,” assured Holmes. He recalled that some residents were unhappy about the clock tower, and now that facet of the building has been removed from the plans.
When asked by Planning Board member Bruce Colton, Holmes confirmed that the changes are largely to save money. In a social media post ahead of the meeting, Planning Board member Walter Gunn said the changes were because owners, Pun Longmeadow Realty, received “an insurance payout less than expected.”
Gunn asked, “From a safety perspective, are you comfortable that this design can stop an accidental [vehicle] acceleration?” Holmes said there were wheel stops at each parking space and there will be bollards.
Diana Pun, a lawyer for Pun Longmeadow Realty, said Armata’s Market has committed to coming back to the shopping plaza and that there were commitments to lease all the storefronts.
Holmes told Colton that construction is expected to begin within 60 days and last between eight and 12 months.
Another business, Lola’s Taco and Oyster Bar, 732 Bliss Rd., at The Longmeadow Shops, had its site plan amended at the meeting. The changes were purely cosmetic and focused on the storefront façade. Rather than dark brick across the front exterior, owner Grove Properties decided to use white and light walnut-colored longboard accented by the dark brick on the lower portion of the building. The longboard is similar to what was used a few doors down, at Posto.
Other changes included replacing the proposed double doors with a single glass door and moving the operational windows to the left of the entrance, rather than the right side. Light blue awnings will run across the top of the storefront.
Zone change
Frank Colaccino and attorney Jeffrey Roberts requested a public hearing to change the zoning designation for 916 Williams St., from Residence A-1 to Business. The goal is to build more commercial space adjacent to the Longmeadow Shops in a similar one-story style. The same plan was voted down at a Town Meeting two years ago. A public hearing on the issue was scheduled for Sept. 6.
Glenmeadow fitness building
The board waived aspect of the site design process for a planned 2,600-square-foot building that would enclose the pool and allow for a fitness room at Glenmeadow, a life plan community at 24 Tabor Crossing.
Jeff Squires of Berkshire Design Group and Philippe Saad of Dimella Shaffer, both architectural design firms, proposed a design for a single-story building, an outdoor patio area and surrounding landscaping. There would be no changes to exterior utilities and no additional rooms or parking spaces. In fact, the design would eliminate one parking space, although the two said a parking space could be added elsewhere to replace it.
“The goal was to minimize disturbance,” said Saad.
Assistant Town Manager Corrin Meise-Munns asked if there would be public access to the pool. Saad said the facility is designed for use by residents of Glenmeadow, but added that guests of residents may be allowed to use it as well.
A public hearing on the matter was scheduled for Aug. 16.
Veterinary clinic
The Planning Board approved a site design waiver for Longmeadow Veterinary Clinic, 904 Shaker Rd. As a former bank, there is a drive-through arch. While the walls will change inside, there will be no alteration to the outside of the building. One of the petitioners, Tom Kaye, said that the design element would stay intact and that there may be plans in the future to offer drive-through prescription pick-up.
The hours will be 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, and the clinic will serve small animals, such as dogs and cats.