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Date: 12/14/2022
WEST SPRINGFIELD – The Pyramid Company is looking for the second round in their effort to have a zone change implemented for a parcel near the Holyoke line.
The Planning Board will conduct a public hearing on Jan. 4, 2023, at 6 p.m. in the second floor auditorium at Town Hall, 26 Central St. The hearing is to consider a petition for a zoning map amendment to redesignate a 17.66-acre parcel on the northeast corner of Whitney Avenue and Highland Avenue from Residence A-2 to Residence C.
In March, Reminder Publishing reported the company that owns the Holyoke Mall withdrew its zoning petition before the Town Council could vote on approval. That action took place after several public hearings at which neighbors protested the plan to build 166 luxury apartments on the site. Additional traffic was one of the reasons cited by residents.
The current Residence A-2 zoning allows for houses to be built there, but not an apartment complex.
According to the information submitted last month to the Planning Board on behalf of Pyramid by lawyer Richard Sypek of Westfield, “The goal is to develop this unused, underdeveloped parcel of land to create residential apartments buildings. The preliminary design is to construct four 24-unit buildings and three 22-unit buildings for approximately 162 units.
“The design would allow for a density ratio of only 9.17 units per acre. The surrounding area abuts Interstate 91, Highland Avenue, other apartment complexes as well as Providence Place at Ingleside – an adult independent living community.
“The intent is to construct buildings with a fresh new design and bring a level and style of apartment building to this portion of West Springfield which does not presently exist. The benefits to this area of West Springfield are significant and beneficial to the town of West Springfield. Whitney Avenue and Highland Avenue ha[ve] been used for many years to access roads for the Holyoke Mall. This is a significant improvement to this parcel and to the surrounding area.”
An architectural drawing accompanying the application to the Planning Board shows seven apartment buildings and a clubhouse laid out in an oval configuration. A parking area is located in the middle of the oval with 324 spaces. Next to the club house is a pool and patio area. The entrance and exit would be from Whitney Avenue.