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Date: 4/7/2022
WEST SPRINGFIELD — After receiving a wealth of feedback from the Town Council and the public regarding a proposed zoning change on Whitney Avenue to allow a large apartment complex, Pyramid Company, owner of the Holyoke Mall, opted last month to withdraw the plan.
Richard Sypek, attorney representing Pyramid, wrote and signed a letter on March 24, addressed to Town Council President Ed Sullivan and Sean Powers, chairman of the Ordinance and Policy Subcommittee, informing them of the withdrawal.
The letter read, “On behalf of the petitioner, Pyramid Company of Holyoke Inc., we would respectfully request that this zoning petition be withdrawn without prejudice at this time. Thank you and the council for its efforts in this matter.”
Prior to this decision, Pyramid had appeared before the council on numerous occasions. Two public hearings also took place, in which several residents expressed their disapproval of the request to change the zoning of 711 Whitney Ave., an 18-acre parcel near the Holyoke city line, from Residence A-2 to Residence C. This change woud accommodate plans for the construction of 166 luxury apartment units.
Sypek informed The Reminder that Pyramid had geotechnical studies done on the land. “They came back good — we got the green light, but the Town Council made it clear that they needed more information,” before approving the zone change, said Sypek. “We need to do more homework. We are doing our due diligence.”
As of now, Sypek is uncertain if Pyramid will bring the proposal back in front of the council. However, Sullivan said Sypek “gave the impression” that they plan to.
“By statute, if someone puts in a request for a zone change, it’s referred to the Planning Board and the Planning Board makes a suggestion,” Sullivan said. “If the Planning Board gives an affirmative vote, the petitioner can withdraw and bring [the proposal] back whenever,” he added.
Sullivan explained that the councilors were “really voting on the zone change, not the project.” If the council had approved the zone change, then Pyramid would still have to go before the Planning Board to have the project approved.
Sullivan said some of the councilors’ concerns with this project included increased traffic on a route that serves the Holyoke Mall and other nearby businesses, security issues from “a lot of police calls” to be expected at an apartment complex, the potential for more vehicle accidents at the nearby corner of Highland Avenue and Riverdale Street (Route 5), along with lighting and open space issues. He added that these are “usual” concerns when looking to approve a zone change.
“Even though the council votes on the zone change, they wanted some of these issues addressed,” before approving it, said Sullivan.
For now, the 17 acres on Whitney Avenue will remain vacant. Sullivan said, “Who knows what Pyramid will do with this.” The current Residence A-2 zoning would allow for development as houses.
“I appreciate the input from the public and councilors to get us where we were,” said Sullivan. He went on to say that the councilors did their due diligence and he’s glad they “went through the process.”