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Date: 1/4/2022
CHICOPEE – A zone change shifting Residential A property on 525 James St. near Memorial Drive to Business A land has caused uproar amongst neighboring residents, with the citizens documenting a 17-year conflict between them and the property owners interested in expanding their business portfolio.
The item was introduced during a Dec. 7 City Council meeting, with Barby Street resident Beverley Bellavance and Prospect Street residents Christine Parker, Diane Martin and Janet Paquette speaking out against the potential zone change. The item was ultimately approved in a unanimous vote, with the James Street property set to be reviewed in more detail in future meetings.
Reminder Publishing spoke to Bellavance, Parker and Martin about the latest attempt to insert a business near their respective neighborhoods. As a long-standing resident of Chicopee, Bellavance recalls two previous incidents, one roughly 17 years ago and another in 2013, where the landowners attempted to utilize the James Street land for business ventures.
The first instance involved a potential Dunkin Donuts, while the 2013 proposal involved a Family Dollar. Both potential zone changes were ultimately denied as Bellavance and community members rallied against the inclusions.
“The last two times we said no. Why would we say yes this time,” Bellavance questioned. Through community petitions and a central role organizing local neighbors, Bellavance and her husband Phil stand as voices against each of the three potential zone changes.
Bellavance said she remains concerned that a new business would have an adverse impact on the local neighborhoods, including populating the quiet side streets with more traffic, the potential for speeding in a family-friendly area, creating a deafening pollution of noise and decreasing property values of residents who were initially promised that there would be no business development in the area.
In the time since the second proposal was denied, Parker shared that the owners of the property removed the forestry in the area, a decision that has already increased Memorial Drive’s presence on the neighborhoods.
Parker, along with her husband John, moved into their home abutting the James Street land in 2008. She acknowledged the property came with some initial noisiness when the house was purchased, but fears that a neighboring business would leave an impact on her home.
“I wouldn’t mind neighboring someone’s back yard, but I don’t want to have tall lamps nearby. There’s going to be dumpster pick-up, snow removal and deliveries depending on what business is there,” said Parker, who said she and her husband were assured the abutting property was specified as residential-only when purchasing their home.
Parker’s concerns about an unknown business entity entering the area if the zone change is approved is shared by Bellavance and Martin. “Any type of business could come in there…and it’s only going to bring more traffic to the area,” said Parker. The trio also believes that businesses should utilize already-vacant land on Memorial Drive rather than increasing activity into their neighborhood community.
Newly elected Ward 9 Councilor Mary-Elizabeth Pniak-Costello is already involved with her constituents about the ongoing issue and its traffic impacts. In discussions with Reminder Publishing, Pniak-Costello shared that she performed a count of 524 cars and six school buses passing by the James Street property during a half-hour traffic observation. “That would total over 1,000 cars per hour… The traffic and speeding [in the area] are a problem,” said Pniak-Costello.
Martin, another abutter of the James Street property, describes a potential zone change as potentially “ruining her life.”She explained that her house already abuts a CVS property that exists on the edge of Memorial Drive and James Street, which has caused an excess of liter, dangerous car accidents, vehicles short-cutting by her property and occasional incidents of criminal activity nearby her home. “We had to put up fencing in our backyard because we are scared,” said Martin.
When the zone change was proposed in 2013, Martin said she and her husband Roger were offered $20,000 by the James Street property owners to support the zone change, but ultimately declined due to concerns about how another business would impact their household.
Understanding that the land will be utilized for some type of development, Martin expressed that she would support developments that stick within the area’s current Residential A status – a sentiment that Bellavance and Parker would also support. “I would love a nice house there, there’s even enough room for two houses. I would be so receptive to that,” said Martin.
In a statement submitted to Reminder Publishing, Paquette further stressed the neighborhoods concerns. “We are, and continue to be, watchdogs for our neighborhood…We are united in our desire that any entity that will be placed onto or built on that property be agreeable to us and sustainable for the surrounding properties,” said Paquette.
The James Street issue will endure a public hearing session during January’s Zoning Board meeting before undergoing review by the Planning Board.