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Date: 12/16/2021
CHICOPEE – A busy public input session during City Council’s Dec. 7 meeting saw several citizens raise concerns over a zone change shifting Residential A property on 525 James St. near Memorial Drive to Business A land.
Resident Beverly Bellavance described the item as “a very serious issue” in her neighborhood, noting that residential-to-business zone changes have become unfortunately commonplace in their occurrence. “This is the third time in 17 years that I stand before opposing a zone change to our residential neighborhood. At this point, it has caused harassment to me and my Chicopee neighbors, and I want it to be stopped tonight,” she said. Bellavance cited increased noise pollution, the degradation of property values, numerous accidents due to speeding and endless traffic stemming from nearby businesses as core reasons for the requesting the zone change. Seven other residents spoke during the public input session to air similar grievances.
“We are united in our desire that any entity that would be placed onto or built onto that property be agreeable to us and substainable to nearby properties. I get that the city continually seeks additional sources of revenue … why does some of it have to be at our expense again?” questioned resident Janet Paquette.
After the numerous complaints, the City Council decided to shift the order to the top of their agenda. Ward 1 Councilor Joel McAuliffe assured residents that they would get an opportunity to voice their concerns during a subcommittee public hearing meeting scheduled for next year. The councilor also spoke in support of the zone change and encouraged residents to keep an open mind.
“The responsibility of this board is to do what is in the best interest of the city in terms of creating development creating jobs and creating revenue,” said McAuliffe. The councilor stressed that residents will have the opportunity to be intimately involved in the process as inquiring businesses are vetted for the land.
Councilor At-Large James Tillotson explained to the residents that the council has no authority to decline the zone change request.
“According to our ordinances and our city charter, we have no choice but to move it forward,” said Tillotson, who referenced the petitioners compliance with city ordinances.
The item was ultimately approved in a unanimous vote, with the James Street property to be further reviewed in Zoning Board and Planning Board meetings.
COVID-19 Update
With Mayor John Vieau away at a conference, Chief of Staff Michael Pise provided an update on the city’s COVID-19 information. Pise explained that COVID-19 cases are on the rise across the city, with the city having 437 open cases at the time of the meeting, calling the number a “substantial increase” from previous weeks. With the holidays upcoming, Pise advocated for citizens to get vaccinated to protect themselves and their families.
Ward 4 Councilor George Balakier inquired about whether the recent case increase and the upcoming flu season will lead to a city-wide mask mandate. Pise said a mandate is “always in consideration,” with the mayor’s office working with Health Director Lisa Sanders to continually monitor cases.
The Chicopee City Council will meet again on Dec. 21.