Mobil Garage approved to go ahead with canopy plans

Date: 8/12/2009

By Courtney Llewellyn

Reminder Assistant Editor



LONGMEADOW A service station in the heart of Longmeadow is planning on making service a bit easier.

The Mobil Garage, located at 467 Longmeadow St. and owned by Lenny Rising, earned a waiver of site and design review from the Planning Board last Thursday for his proposal to build canopies over his gas pumps.

Attorney Dana Goldman, representing Rising Realty Trust, noted that there would be two separate canopies instead of one large one, and that they would be shingled to match the main building's aesthetic. Three light-emitting diodes (LEDs) would be installed inside each canopy.

"The goal is minimalist lighting," Goldman said. "They'll shine straight down."

The 130-watt LEDs are different from other high-intensity lights in that their light can be directed in specific directions instead of illuminating an entire area. LEDs are more than 80 percent more efficient that what are currently in place, halogen lights.

"I think the lighting idea is phenomenal," Planning Board Chair Walter Gunn stated. "I don't have any issues with [the plan]. I think it actually improves the situation."

The lights must be shut off by 11 p.m. each night.

Rising's proposal has already gone through two public hearings with the Zoning Board of Appeals. Once the Planning Board's waiver of site and design review is accepted, there will be a 20 day appeal period for anyone with issues with the plan to voice his or her opposition.

A service station has been at 467 Longmeadow St. in some form since 1917, Rising noted.