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Date: 12/15/2022
LONGMEADOW – The Dec. 7 meeting of the Longmeadow Planning Board pushed several building projects along in roughly 75 minutes time.
The board members heard updates on construction and site plans for the incoming Fletcher’s BBQ Shop & Steakhouse in the space once occupied by Rinaldi’s Pizza. The site at 408 Longmeadow St. is currently undergoing interior renewal ahead of an anticipated February 2023 opening.
Business owner Bill Fletcher fielded questions from the board regarding issues of noise abatement, ventilation and the potential dissipation of food and cooking odors in the immediate area. After discussion that included the architect for the premises, the board approved a current site plan waiver for construction to continue. Approval of signage for the business is expected to be addressed at a future meeting.
Sign revisions and alterations for Starbucks at 708 Bliss Rd. and Frankie’s Pizza at 809 Maple Rd. were both approved after presentation by the owners. The coffee retailer is currently open while the new pizza operation will take over the space recently vacated by Riggio’s Pizza restaurant with a launch expected early next year.
Continuing from initial presentations from the Planning Board meeting of Nov. 2 were the building site plans for the Maple Shopping Center, anchored by Armata’s Market. The rebuilding project is expected to include the favored neighborhood store and several returning businesses destroyed in last year’s devastating November fire that had virtually gutted much of the structure.
Building representation outlined revised elements of the current building site plan which includes interior expansions for the returning businesses and the first and second phases of reconstruction within the original plaza footprint.
Also revisited from the Nov. 2 meeting were questions of parking, including the approval of off-street parking along Maple Road by Fire, Police and the DPW.
The installation of solar panels on the flat roof design is now included in the project as is consideration of modernizing the façade of the building properties.
The current site design as presented was approved by the board with the expectation that full construction will commence after the first of the year.