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Date: 7/5/2022
HOLYOKE – In a recent public hearing on June 21, the Ordinance Committee recommended a zone change application to the City Council that would push the establishment of a new White Hut in Holyoke closer to reality.
The zone change application from R-2 to BL was submitted by Betlai, LLC c/o Edison Yee, for a property located at Pleasant Street – the former PeoplesBank parking lot – to create continuity with the abutting parcel on which the former bank building sits, a move that would allow for the group to develop the new restaurant.
Yee is the principal managing partner of the Bean Restaurant Group, a local company that owns the iconic burger joint in West Springfield as well as the Student Prince in Springfield, and Johnny’s Bar and Grille, Johnny’s Tap Room, Iya Sushi and Noodle Kitchen, the Boathouse, and the Halfway House in South Hadley, along with several other area establishments. Reminder Publishing reached out to the Bean Restaurant Group for comment but did not receive a response.
Ward 5 Councilor Linda Vacon said there was a question that had came up at a previous hearing regarding the awareness of the abutters after some confusion about the numbering of the parcel. There was additional mailing done by the city to ensure the neighbors were informed in a way that they would know which property was being referred to, resolving the small issue in question.
The Planning Board ultimately unanimously recommended approval of the request and it was sent to the Ordinance Committee where they also unanimously confirmed the zoning changes that will now be recommended to the City Council for approval.
During the Ordinance Committee’s June 8 meeting, Yee was in virtual attendance for a public hearing on the zoning request. Yee said he was excited to bring in a White Hut to the city of Holyoke and at the time had no new information and was just waiting for the Planning Board’s hearing on the zone change.
The same meeting did provide the opportunity for members of the public to express their views on the zone change application. The first resident spoke and thanked City Councilor Kevin Jourdain for helping abutters feel supported and aware of the ongoing request. He added that the only comment from an elderly neighbor was to ask if ice cream would be available at the new White Hut location.
Another resident expressed as an abutter she had concerns about the congestion that will come at a nearby intersection as well as the potential littering she anticipates will increase with the addition of a new restaurant.
“I just want to put in our two cents, not all the neighbors are totally for this. I know some of these concerns might be addressed at planning committee but I do want to let you know not all the abutters are totally for having a fast food restaurant at this corner,” the resident said.
Another resident expressed similar concerns regarding traffic saying there are often accidents on the corner of the property in question. She added that while traffic should be considered, she was happy to see the space looking to be utilized as opposed to being an empty lot.
Yee responded to some of the concerns and said they will be addressing boundary lines and still respect the privacy of abutters and keep noise levels apart from them the best they can. The restaurant will close at 7 p.m. according to Yee.
Yee also added his protocols for addressing trash and litter. He said they have trash receptacles outdoors to control litter and have employees sweep the property on an hourly basis.
“We will do the best we can to control that. We want to keep the property as clean as possible. Its part of our operating routine. We are on the same page,” Yee said.