Date: 10/26/2023
The Longmeadow fall Special Meeting on Nov. 7 has an article proposal for a zoning change from residential to commercial at the corner of Williams Street and Redfern Drive. The developer Colvest is proposing high-end retailers for this zoning change to commercial but failed to identify who they will be. What is Colvest’s definition of high-end retailers? The Longmeadow Shops has seen turnover in recent years of retailers including so called high-end retailer’s and as many national economists are predicting there is a possibility of an economic downturn and recession in 2024. So, if the economy is not favorable are the high-end retailer’s going to commit to new retail space?
The biggest issue in this zoning change proposal is the impact on traffic. The intersection of Williams and Redfern/Frank Smith Road already has a large volume of traffic and is a major school crossing for children. The traffic on Williams Street has grown in recent years with the development of the office complex on the Longmeadow-East Longmeadow and the potential development of adjoining parcels in the East Longmeadow industrial park where traffic will also use Williams Street.
The Select Board spent many hours and meetings this year addressing traffic in the area of Longmeadow Street and Laurel Street but fails to address what this proposed zoning change will have on the major intersection at Williams Street and Redfern.
There are to many unanswered questions on this development. Vote no at the town meeting on Nov. 7.
Fran Bogdanowicz
Longmeadow
