The Plex returns, residents oppose plans

Date: 9/25/2014

AGAWAM – After more than a year’s since he was allowed to withdraw his proposal for The Plex on part of the Crowley’s Sales Barn & Stables property, Don Cameron is back with another, larger-scale proposal for a site on South West Street.

Emotions ran high in the standing room only public hearing regarding the zone change for The Plex, which took place at the Agawam Public Library on Sept. 18.
   
The Plex is an indoor/outdoor sports complex that will have two of its soccer fields covered with seasonal domes during the winter so players can utilize it throughout the year. Plans also include a 12,800 square-foot building that will contain office space and meeting rooms as well as tennis and basketball courts.
   
Very few spoke in favor of the project, leaving the vast majority to question the impact of The Plex on the adjacent wetlands, Route 57 right-of-way reserved land and surrounding neighborhoods. The Planning Board unanimously voted not to support the project that will now be considered by the City Council sometime in October.
   
John Furman, The Plex architect and regional office manager for Vanasse Hangen Brustlin Inc. of Springfield, said there will be four soccer fields; two with natural grass and two with synthetic turf that will have domes atop them during the winter.
   
The site will also have 245 parking spaces and Sani-Cans will be provided for guest use. Overall, 24 acres of the 80-acre property would be developed.
   
Dennis Crowley explained that the initial plan was for Cameron to buy some of the parcel. In preparation, Crowley spent nearly $107,000 revamping the property, relocating features to make way for The Plex, but Cameron abandoned his plans.
   
When resident Joe Linares spoke, he asked the crowd how many people were there in opposition the change. All but a handful of people, less than 10, raised their hands.
   
Resident Marsha Pinette said, “Most of us want this stopped tonight. We don’t want to deal with this again.”
   
Resident Dale Boglisch noted that there are no sewers in the vicinity of proposed site. “Sorry, some areas do stink,” he said. He also asked the board if The Plex failed to come to fruition, what type of businesses would be allowed to move in since a zone change would be implemented.
   
Boglisch added, “It’s a good idea, wrong place.”
   
The majority of the speakers echoed that sentiment.
   
Some residents, including Jill Messick of the Agawam Conservation Commission, were concerned about the effect of the sports complex on the wetlands.
   
In response, Cameron said, “Everything we’ve done is designed is outside the wetlands.”
   
Messick was concerned that The Plex created “a lot of impervious area” that would affect the water quality of the wetlands. She noted that the wetlands serve as a “lab area” for local environmentalists who study the setting and its inhabitants.
   
Resident Liz Maher suggested Cameron consider buying property on Tennis Road. “Let’s just do it right,” she said. Her concern was that the birds and other migratory animals would not return to the area with the amount of activity the complex would generate.
   
Resident Patrick Sullivan questioned Furman if the proposal met the Commonwealth’s Environmental Notification Form (ENF) requirements. Furman responded, “We’re not required to file and ENF since it doesn’t meet Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act standards.”
   
The other main concern was the traffic The Plex would generate, especially since the Feeding Hills intersection does not have left turn signals each stoplight.
   
Resident Jeff Heinze said, “I have coached Agawam soccer for the last year, so I understand the need for a complex such as this because if you want to play indoors you have to go to Springfield, you have to go to Windsor, I understand that. However, that being said, I don’t think that this particular parcel of land is the best place to put this complex. I have been to soccer tournaments. It is not one car per child. Sometimes, it’s four cars per child. I can tell you, I’ve been to tournaments where you can’t find a place to park. People are on the side roads, they come out of the complex.”
   
Heinze continued, “Potentially, it’s a bigger issue than you may realize. People from Agawam aren’t the only people that are going to use this complex. You’re going to see teams from Connecticut. You’re going to see teams from all around. It’s not just in town.”
   
Sal Giuliano spoke on behalf of Northeast Utilities and Western Mass. Electric, the property owners of the land. He said, “We endorsed the zone change and we endorsed the project.”
   
The other residents that spoke in favor cited the need of a sports complex for the town’s students.
   
In a separate interview, prior to the hearing, Mayor Richard Cohen discussed his view of the project with Reminder Publications.
   
Cohen said, “I am very happy to see this project coming closer to becoming a reality. Mr. Cameron and my administration have been diligent in looking for land suitable for his project and feel the land purchased from WMECO is an ideal site for such a project. It is on both the Planning Board and City Council agendas.”
   
He continued, “The facility will be the first in the Western Massachusetts area and they have already proven to be extremely successful in the eastern portion of the Commonwealth. It will also create jobs, new tax revenue and provide a facility for people of all ages to enjoy and who knows; the facility could produce future World Cup players!”
   
The mayor added, “After spending a lengthy amount of time, I am pleased that location such as this one was decided upon and feel  that the site is appropriate for such a positive development.”
   
Cameron declined to comment regarding his decision not to pursue The Plex at the Crowley’s location.