City Council - Regular Meeting

Ready. Thank you. Focus. Thank you, George. Good evening. Wait, is it evening?

Consider evening. Good evening. Today is March 23rd and we are going to start the proclamation portion of our city council meeting. Thank you all for joining us today. Um we know we had to get rescheduled a couple of times because of the weather, but we are glad to see so many faces today. So we'll start with Lavar Click Bruce um with his proclamation. So I will turn the floor over to you, counselor.

All right. Thank you, Madame President uh Whitfield. Uh we are here today to recognize um my good friend Dion Baron and his his track track club Alpha uh and I'm forgetting the name of the uh track group uh Alpha Speed Track, excuse me. So Dion Baron, if you can uh come up to the uh podium, please. Uh so you know for me it's you know I'm a I'm a coach in the city and uh really want to recognize those that are actually on the ground doing the work and he's been doing this since 2016 uh really grinding um with not a lot of support. So, we wanted to highlight uh this group um because again doing a tremendous work in our city uh working with with families and uh young people to make sure they succeed in not only in the the track aspect but succeeding in life because uh people may or may not know uh sports bring discipline. Uh sports bring together families, bring together uh a community. So, uh, Dion, I know you have a array of accolades and also on a personal level, he really, uh, my my daughter is a a track athlete at Scite Tech. Um, she runs for Scitech, but attends Renaissance. And he really started her off. And, uh, Dion, I want to personally thank you for taking the time out and showing my daughter uh, the proper way to run. Um, because I'm a basketball player. I didn't know nothing about running. And uh so I know you really set her up. And uh before that also I met Dion at the YMCA. So again, Dion has been doing this a very long time. Um he helped out with the Springfield Youth Olympics when we were

doing that with the Y. Um he helped facilitate the Y the Y track club and really again just your your tremendous work ethic in the city of Springfield is commendable. So I just want to take this time to say thank you. Also to the parents, um, thank you for sticking by, uh, Dion, because I know it truly takes a village. Um, you know, I know some of you probably car pooling and, you know, doing what you need to do. Trust me, I I know how it know how it works, but stand by Dion and um, I know um, our student athletes are going to uh, succeed. Um, I think also I see uh, uh, uh, Mr. Davey in the audience. Are you a coach as well?

Okay. All right. So, uh, Dion, we we have two citations for you. One, I know I got I got the the the packet from the mayor's office, also from city council. Um, but I'll read ours here, and they all read the same. Um, city of Springfield City Council, in recognition, the Springfield City Council is pleased to honor and recognize, and I'm going to read Autumn King for your dedication and athletic achievement, your positive representation of the city of Springfield through competitive track and field is to be commended. And this is signed on March 23rd by our clerk uh Glattis Lopez and sponsored by myself uh city council of our click Bruce and uh our madame president Tracy Whitfield and all counselors. Um and Dion, we have one specifically for you as well. Um city of Springfield, Massachusetts uh director head coach Dion Baron. Um this came from the mayor. I Dominique J. Arno, mayor of city of Springfield, do hereby confer upon you this citation in recognition of Alpha Track Club's outstanding commitment to athletic excellence, youth development, community leadership, and for its positive impact and fostering discipline, teamwork, and opportunity for student athletes. On behalf of all the residents of the city of Springfield along with your family and friends, congratulations. So, uh, Dion, we want to just again say thank you and we appreciate you.

Thank you. So, so Dion, okay, come come back up. We not done. And I also I do at some point I know Madam President is going to take take it, but I do also want to read all the student athletes at some point, but we want to have you say say a few words.

Um, just like said it started to just give an athletes student athletes at that and also keep them active off their main sport and with their primary sport um as a supports. Then it turned into, you know, a real need that I seen where it also brought them to a higher level of competition, a higher level of exposure just off of their abilities um that they can hone in on. that's that rides on just them versus a whole team. So sometimes, you know, you're not on a good team and it might not go far, but you're a player that can put in a little bit more effort and get yourself further. Um, and with that, we have a lot of these members do that. A lot of these athletes put time into themselves and allow them to get more exposure, which then comes back down to the city and their schools, and it helps everybody out. Um, I'm just proud of these kids that keep going in. um choosing to put time in themselves um as well as putting time with their other sport sports in high school and things like that. So, I'm just proud of all the athletes that come and make that decision.

Thank you, Dian. But don't leave yet because we want to open it up to the other counselors to give remarks if they would like to. But before that, I just wanted to say that councelor Govon gives her regrets that she couldn't be here. She's stuck stuck well kind of stuck in North Carolina. and councelor Katerie Walsh is under the weather so she also couldn't be here today but I do want to open it up to councilors councelor Hurst

Dion we we appreciate everything that you're doing uh here in the city of Springfield uh to our young people you know I know it's I know it's not easy uh juggling everything and then also handling your responsibilities uh at home um you know your your dedication your commitment to your craft uh is is super impressive. Uh to my parents, I get it. Um it's not easy. You know, I have two young sons and they're actively involved in a variety of different sports. And so the bulk of, you know, my time after work hours is spent, you know, escorting my kids and playing taxi uh driver for them back and forth and to and from a variety of different places and sports. But at the end of the day, as you can see, you know, it's paying off and you all are grooming uh young people who hopefully will come back to the city of Springfield and reinvest the same way you're doing, Dion. So, I appreciate you being a role model uh to these young people and, you know, just just keep fighting the good fight because we need you.

Thank you. Thank you. Any other counselors? Well, I'll give remarks. Um Dion, what age group do you train? between eight all the way up to 20 um up to college. Yeah. So, we do have some college athletes that come back from there and still try to either earn a scholarship, earn a roster spot on the team for the next level or just stay on that competitive uh itch and level for competing. That's fantastic. I love to hear about sports we don't traditionally hear about all the time. And I wish you would have said six cuz I got a bunch of six-year-olds that run around all the time that could use some of that track time and go home and go to sleep. But um

we'll soon um but um thank you and the parents and your team for what you do with these young people. Um it also takes away from like the time you could be spending with your family and your friends. And so it's commendable um when you do this type of work. And I also want to say to the students, thank you for, you know, stepping out and doing something um with your time that will give you great rewards in the future. And we love when we can like be so proud. We're proud of you now. So, we're always going to be proud of you, but when you make it to those college levels and you're getting all these scholarships and you're already student athletes, you just make the city of Springfield so proud. So, I want you to know that. And to the parents, thank you all for being that village, for being the team. I know counselor Click Bruce has said it before, but I'm going to say it again because it does take a village. I remember when my son was in sports, and I could have never done it without the village. So, I want to just um thank um the parents as well. Any other counselors? All right. Well, keep up the good work. You need any support from us, let us know. I didn't know about your program until Councelor Click Bruce brought it to us. So, we need to give you more notoriety and put your information out there. So connect with us and I I know I'll be glad to do that for you. So thank you for all you do. Thank you

counselor. I do want to uh I do want to read all the uh student athletes. Um so Dion, if you could please come back up. I'm sorry about that. You're never sitting down.

And also Dion, we're going to look to help get you some funding for sure. Um, so I know that's one of the things that we're going to try to work together and counselor Whitfield can uh also help out as well cuz she she's the she's the goat with the finances. So um but uh now we going to work together. But I I read one already and we recognize Autumn King. If Autumn King is here, if you can come on up, please. Then we have Braxton Barrett. Barnett, excuse me. Yeah, he he didn't Braxton Barnett. His father wasn't able to do that. Yeah.

Okay. Um then we have Chase Turner. Yep.

Um Davian Morales. Um, Declan McDonald,

Freddy Schubric I have Jayla Witherspoon, Jordan Wong Vallejo, Joseph Brown, Justin Rodriguez, we got uh Levi Davyy, Maya Witherspoon, uh Natalia Clark, Uh, uh, Navia Jackson. Sorry if I butcher your name. Apologize. Omari. Omaria. Haynes. Excuse me if I butchered this. Omari.

Ryan Kennedy. Ryan Kennedy. Uh, Yasani Thompson Zo Davyy. Let's clap it up for our student athletes. and Dion, if you can uh have if you can come up with your student athletes come on up. We want to take a group picture with the with the counselors.

If others can give us just a moment, we're going to take a group picture. Yes. Come through the gate and we're going to take a picture with the counsel.

We're so proud of you all. One last round of applause. Let's give it up loud as you can. Get all settled. I went to high school with Dean. I haven't seen him in years. That's great.

There we go.

Is that everybody's way? You want

Yes, Joseph. That's a good fit. We do have another proclamation um that was is sponsored by councelor Walsh. However, she is under the weather. So, councelor Davila will be given the remarks uh for that particular proclamation. The floor is yours.

Thank you, Madame President, and uh good afternoon to all of you. Uh Madame President, as you stated, Councelor Walsh is not able to join us today, so I kind of playing butter up right now. And I am happy to uh fill in for her because this proclamation is quite appropriate to a young lady uh Alice Richard who's here with us. Alice, stand up, please. Alice, Alice, uh Madame President, Alice has had a total of 55 years experience in the Scots scouts. Uh it is amazing and she's not only has the experience but she's also a pioneer. Uh she has been deeply involved in scouting in Springfield for park neighborhood and she has been able to mentor youth. Uh she has even built new packs and new troops in the city and for spark and continues to serve tiously even with all these changes uh and challenges that we face. So Alice has really been a trooper. And so if you allow me to read the proclamation, uh it reads, "Honoring a lifetime of service of Alice Richard, a true pillar of scouting in Springfield. Whereas the Springfield City Council recognizes celebrates community members whose lifelong service strengthen our city and uplift its youth. And among these outstanding individuals stands Alice Richard, who has devoted more than 55 years to the Boy Scouts of America, serving in both the Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts with Troop 49 and Pack 49. I also want to take a quick moment recognize she's here with her troop. Right, you guys stand up. Stand up. Thank you guys.

Thank you. And as whereas Alice made history as the first female scoutmaster in western Massachusetts later becoming commissioner within the scouting program and dedicated leader and a dedicated leader in the regional round table. I was leading with courage, kindness and commitment to every scout. And whereas 45 years ago, Alice found a Cub Scout pack and served as his first comma cubmaster, inspiring countless young scouts and families while setting the standards for leadership and community spirit that continue to this days. And whereas she has earned numerous distinctions including the wood badge award, the French language award, and the prestigious order of the arrow visual award. and we are inducted into the Boy Scout Hall of Fame in 2010.

Impressive. Impressive.

For the exceptional leadership and lifelong dedication. And whereas for more than four decades, Ali has been the heart of scouting in Springfield's Forest Park neighborhood, mentoring youth, building new packs and troops, and continuing to serve tirelessly even when challenges arose. And whereas scouting has always been a family tradition. For Alice, whose sons, grandsons, and nephews have followed her example, and whose former scouts now return with their own children, continuing the legacy of character, respect, and preparedness she has instilled. Now, therefore, be proclaimed, the Springfield City Council proudly honors Alice Richard for extraordinary 55 years of service, leadership, and devotion to the scouting community. Her commitment has shaped lives, strengthened families, and enriched the spirits of Springfield for generation. A proclamation sponsoring today, March 23rd, 2026, in honor of Alice Richard, attested by Glattisola uh Lopez, city clerk, and sponsored by city councilors Katie Walsh, Tracy Witfield, Councelor Davila, and all city councilors. You want to say a few words? take the podium. Say a few words. Thank you.

Oh, that's good. But um the only thing I'd like to say is everybody always asks me why I started working with Boy Scouts when no other ladies were working with Boy Scouts. It gave me a chance to work with my sons and do something that they liked. And it also gave me a chance to do things that I like to do that most ladies didn't like to do like fishing and archery and ax throwing and all those things. And nobody looked at me strangely. Thank you. That's fantastic. And and you've been doing that for 45 years. 55. 55 years. Wow. That's amazing. Any comments from counselors?

Jerry, I mean councelor Martin. Oh, here we go. Alice, I just want to say it's it's great to be in the company of such a trailblazer. I didn't realize your history and that's that's really really great and your story was very touching. So happy to you be supporting and honoring you today. Very welld deserved. So I hope you enjoy the rest of your night.

Councelor Hurst.

I'm going to say it again. um you know and I think councelor Whitfield often times says it uh it there there are young people that don't always gravitate towards sports and so when we start thinking about you know our young people and the different interests that they bring to the table uh it's great to have the scouts as a as a place where folks can also express themselves in other ways and it's also great to have like my colleague said trailblazer like yourself who is, you know, really um breaking barriers and and and breaking the glass ceiling. And we think about, you know, the fact that we're in women's uh we're honoring many women at, you know, for women's history month. Uh you certainly are at the top of that list. Uh and you know, I appreciate the work that you're doing for our young people and that you continue to do. Uh so thank you very much.

Thank you, councelor. Councelor Click Bruce.

Good to see you, Alice. Um I uh she does a great work also in the community um at the C3 meetings as well and really really report out on the the Boys Club. I'm a former Boy Club member as well. Boy Scout, excuse me. Uh Cub Scout, Boy Scout. Um, and I thank my mom for actually putting me in that because like uh councelor Hurst just mentioned and counselor Whitfield mentioned um she understood uh it's more than just playing basketball or football. She wanted me to have those life skills. Um and I know councelor Hel remember this. She actually put me in a catillion and I hated it and I I used to curse her out when I was a kid under my breath obviously. But these are the life skills that you'll never forget. And Alice again what everybody already said. Thank you for all that you've done and you continue to do. We really appreciate you. So, thank you.

Thank you. Well, I have to say something because you're a woman trailblazer and you know, so am I. And so, just really really thank you from the bottom of my heart for the work. And I know sometimes being in a predominantly dominated male field, it could be difficult sometimes. So, I'm glad to hear that you didn't get a lot of push back um when you entered. I would love to learn how to ask throw. I sometimes need to do that. Um but I just want to thank you for your service. Thank you for being bold. Bold enough to say this is what I want to do and I want to do it with the Boy Scouts and just going for it. That means a lot. And 55 years ago was probably even tougher than it is today. And so, thank you. Happy Women's History Month. and congratulations. So, um, councelor Dava will give you, uh, the proclamation and then if you and your team can come through the gates so we could take a picture together, we would definitely appreciate that. Yep. Go ahead, guys. Go ahead.

Good to see you. Come on. All right. Everybody's so much taller than the last picture.

Everybody gets settled. Counselors, we have approximately four minutes before the uh regular meeting starts. God bless you.

Good evening. One moment. Good evening everyone. Welcome to the Springfield City Hall. Today is Monday, March 23rd and the time is 5:32. Madame clerk, will you please start the meeting by calling the role of the council? Councelor Santelo, present. Councelor Martin,

here. Present councelor Perez absent councelor Brown absent councelor Govan absent councelor Walsh absent councelor Hurst present present councelor Davila present present councelor Fenton Present. Present. Councelor Delgado. Absent. Councelor Click Bruce. Present.

Present. Councelor Edwards. Absent. Councelor Whitfield. Present. Madame clerk. Can you please advise if we have a quorum? We do. We have a quorum of seven, but not for the nine that we need. I know that I for the 2/3. 2/3. Correct. Would you like to call a recess? Yes. Can we call a fivem minute recess, please? One moment.

Yes. Sure.

We'll now resume the city council meeting. Just for the public certification to pass special permits and zone changes, we need nine votes, meaning nine counselors have to be participating. We just got our ninth counselor. However, um if you're pretty confident about your zone change or special permit, that's fine. If not, we can continue it to the next meeting because if one person does not vote on your special permit or zone change and it's denied, it will take two years before you can come back before the city council. But we can always continue to the next meeting and I will even consider doing a special meeting because we have been waiting for a very long time for some of you because of weather. Um but I just wanted to make sure you're aware of um what happens if your special permit or zone change is denied in the event one person votes no. It'll be a two-year wait. So, when your time comes, we'll decide. Hopefully, we'll get more counselors on um before then, but we will resume with the regular city council meeting. Madame Clerk, will you please call the role?

Councelor. Oh, you did that already. I did, but yes, you know, just so that I can have everyone on the record, I if you Yeah, let's do it again. Okay. Thank you. Councelor Santanelo present. Present. Councelor Martin present. Present. Councelor Perez absent. Councelor Brown absent. Councelor Govan absent. Councelor Walsh absent. Councelor Hurst present. Present. Councelor Davila. Present. Present. Councelor Fenton. Present. Present. Councelor Delgado. Present. Present. Councelor Click Bruce. Present. Present. Councelor Edwards. Present. Present. Councelor Whitfield.

Present. Present.

I will turn the floor over to Councelor Click Bruce. Thank you, Madam President. I want to dedicate this moment of silence to uh my cousin Gerald J. uh Griffin who was an advocate um for the city of Springfield. and um he's best known for the Stone Soul Festival um a black uh community festival held every year um in the city of Springfield. So I just want to take this time to recognize him and his services are uh the wake is tomorrow and then the funeral will be on Wednesday. Thank you councelor ClickBanelo.

Madam President, if I may add to that, I had the pleasure and honor to serve with him for 12 years on the park commission. Thank you, Councelor Santanelo. Now, we'll proceed with our moment of silence. Thank you. Please remain standing for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. You may be seated. This is a hearings meeting of the Springfield City Council governed um by city council rule 7 formal informal public hearings. The proponents will be given 20 minutes for a presentation of their case to the city council. questioned by members of the city council shall be made only after the proponents have spoken unless leave is granted by the president president. The opponents too will be given 20 minutes for a presentation of their opposition. Questions by members of the city council shall be made only after each opponent has spoken unless leave is granted by the president. After the proponents and opponents have completed their arguments, each side will be allowed five minutes in rebuttal time in the same order as above. Once everyone is heard, we will close the hearing. Once the hearing is closed, you cannot there will be no more public participation and no information will be offered for this item. Madame clerk, will you please call the first item on the agenda? Item one is change the zoning at the property known as North Side Hampshire Street in Indian Orchard from residence

B to resident C. Proponents, please state your name and address for the record. Thank you, Madame President. My name is uh Jim Ferrer. I reside at 33 Palmyra Street uh in Springfield, Mass. Okay. Your presentation, please.

Thank you uh Madame President. This is a a simple zone change request from a residence B to residence C um on on Hampshire Street in the Orchard. Uh this is the first step um in this particular development by Mr. Ted Bowski. Ted Bowski is a uh a developer here in the city of Springfield. has done several uh developments uh within the city of Springfield um housing um uh in in in whether it's single family or multifamily. This particular project is for multifamily housing um on Hampshire Street. Um this is the first step uh towards that. The next step would be uh for a uh a a a site plan review or a special permit. So, one of those two things uh will be coming back to this body at some point. Um, we have been working with the uh neighborhood group uh and the neighborhood council uh on this initiative. We have the support of the planning department um as well as um some of the residents uh that are here this evening. Uh we are hopeful that we could work with the continue to work with the neighborhood groups uh on the special permit when that comes up if that comes up uh on on conditions. Uh and we look forward to uh to uh bringing some much more needed housing to the city of Springfield.

Thank you former city councelor Ferrer for your presentation. Are there any other proponents that would like to speak on this project? Again, any other Sure. Hi. Your name and address for the record. Pardon? Your name and address for the record, please. My name is Denise Hudson. I live at 74 Hampshire Street, Indian Orchard. Uh

Zeta um Goldman is our president council which she's not here tonight and um a couple of the meetings that we've had she was not at. Um we live, you know, the people that lived on that street, we've been there for years. We like it. It's a dead-end street. The property that's being proposed is a butts wetlands and we don't Are you for the proponent or opponent? I'm I'm here for the neighbor for myself and for the neighborhood. But are you in favor or against the I'm against it. Okay. So, that's going to come up in a minute. Okay. Yeah, I will call you back.

You ready for me to say something? No, still waiting on proponents. Oh, that's okay. They have more people to speak. Is that what that that's what I'm asking? Oh. Mhm. Do you have more people to speak? Ma'am, can you take your seat for a minute? And when I call the opponents, I'll call you back up. One moment. We're happy to uh to also mention to the council that we will be working with the conservation commission on any uh conservation matters that that may arise.

Thank you, Attorney Fer. Are there any other proponents? I mean for the zone change. Seeing none. Councilors, do you have any questions for the proponents? Seeing none, we will now have the opponents speak. Ma'am, you can come back now and give your testimony. Um, well, I started working on this project in September of 2025 and um, it's I've been there and most of the residents that are living there have been there for years and this area that we're talking about, it's 1.2 acres and it abuts the Long Pond and then that ab butts the Kennedy Middle School Field which I was McCarthy's field. I don't know who owns it now. I heard the city owns that. And then there's the Kennedy Middle School. And so I I tried to look up everything I could about wetlands and things like that. And that they need a perk test uh I found a sign that said that it was uh unbuildable uh through paper records. And then all the next thing we knew it was saying that oh that they only did that so they wouldn't have to pay the taxes on that property, the people that owned it going back to the Kenyons. And um now um it supposedly got to be somehow and um now they want to make sea because they want to put multiple housing down there and it's wetlands. It's a 45 degree angle down the hill from the end of my house where I live. I'm on the last house on the street that abuts it. And I don't know. I don't

think it's buildable. And they want to first they want to make five big giant houses down there and that would one of them would have been been in the pond. Now they're down to four. And now we have a past u city councelor working with them who I just met tonight um saying that they want to work with us on it. Um you know there's no place for the for the birds. There's no place for nature anymore. We want to build everything and it's all for profit. It's not because we need that much housing. People are getting housing. Well, I us shouldn't say that because the veterans are living on the street, but illegals aren't. So, you know, we have a lot of problems in our area and we have a lot of communication problems through the Indian Orchard Citizen Council. We always find out about things after they're usually cut and dry. So, you know, I'm finding out a lot of things that I didn't know about before, but I've been in the neighborhood for 50 years. So, plus, not even counting that, 23 years on Berkshire Avenue. That's where I grew up. So, I've seen many changes and some of them are not for the good. And I mean, I'm willing to work with these people. I mean, they want to buy my house for the right price and tear down my house or fix it up and tear down my sixcar garage and buy my property for the right price, I'll move out. That's the only way I'm I'm I'm for it because I've lived here all my life and I don't have a mortgage and I do not want a mortgage. So, but we have to think about the surrounding area. The kids from the middle school cut through there all the time to come home. So that's another problem. And I have an opportunity to buy that place 30 years ago. I did not buy it because I don't have to have then I'd have to have a fence around it. I have to pay taxes on it. I have to be

liable for it. I don't want to be liable for it. So now they bought it for $30,000 and that was like a steal because I got paperwork here proving how much land there's an opportunity for in Wilberham where he lives to buy. But you don't want to buy that property because it's so expensive. But this is like a home run. I'm making a million dollars here, you know, and it's a it's a problem. It's a problem for our orchard. We don't even have we have ra we have ran um uh Orlando Ramos, our state rep should be getting on the bridge, Indian Orchard to go over the bridge. That's closed down. We have all the traffic going over the other le bridge. There's a lot of problems in Indian Orchard about um depreciation of of people's properties and dumpsters and trash. It's, you know, those are a lot of the other things that are going on. And they always have money for parties, but they don't have have money for senior citizens or veterans, you know, people that could really use stuff. So, I don't know what else to say, but I can pass pictures around of the area. If you want to see the packet that I have, I went down there. I was working on it for three months. So, um, I got all the angles covered, but except that he owns the property and he wants to to make it into, you know, more more housing and we don't want housing. And what from what I've been told, the only thing we could stop him from doing was is having him build only one house down there. And that's still we don't want it. But if that's what we have to do, that's what we have to do.

Thank you. Thank you very much for for letting me speak. Sure. Sure. Yeah. You have 14 minutes left. You can say 14 minutes worth of little things. Well, you know, even the one house is something that would be built and then uh I'm sorry, ma'am. I'm sorry. Can you um state your name and address for the record? I apologize.

Uh Barbara Footman, 21 Dub Boy Street, Indian Orchard. Thank you, Chad. I didn't I haven't I didn't put my glasses on. Anyway, what I wanted to say was even that one house that would be built that people worked their whole life to uh buy a house, they're going to buy it in uh wetlands. the wetlands eventually water is going to seep into concrete. It's going to happen. I don't know how he's going to stop that. You know, it's wetlands there. A lot of uh animals, trees. It's just beyond me why they would want to invest. This is a petition from the neighborhood. Okay. I I went around and got signatures in the rain. I passed out flyers several times. the opponents did not come to the meetings or show up and change times because I tried to get media there and media wouldn't come at the times that they changed appointment to. So, I just wanted to let you know we do have a petition from the neighborhood that's saying they don't want it. It should be against the law for a house to be built if it's if it's shown it's wetlands. I mean, people work their whole lives for a house, and this gentleman is going to uh sell this house to these people, and then down the road, they're going to have big problems. I don't know if anyone ever dealt with water and sellers. They've got to these days. That's it for me. I'm disgusted with it. Thank you. Any other um opponents want to voice their concerns or opinions?

Seeing none, we now can take questions from the counselors. Councelor Dava. Uh yeah, but I person clerk.

Oh, we have another opponent. Oh, one moment. No, I read the city council rules. How it goes is we hear from the proponents until they're done. We can ask questions to the proponents at that time. This is in rule number seven of city council rules. Then we fully hear from the opponents at that time. We can ask the opponents questions. Then once they are we are done asking questions, we go into rebuttals. So um Mr. Ferrer, I think there was someone else on the opposition that wanted to speak. Was there one more person? I seen a hand that wanted to speak.

Okay. Um Daisy um is our administrator and she will bring copies of those to counselors. Those are my original copies and those are those are all the pictures of the the land that's down there. Okay. So, if we have no more um comments from the opponents, we will open the floor up to city councilors for questions to the opponents. No

opponents. After the five-minute rebuttal, you can ask the opponents. Okay. Seeing none, we will have a fivem minute rebuttal from the proponents.

Thank you, uh, Madame President. Um, again, I I I think a lot of these concerns that were brought up by the neighborhood uh uh few uh representatives here um can be dealt with during the special permitting process and the site plan review process. Um you know those are um you know conditions can be put on a special permit. Um you know site plans can have special uh requests on them. Uh we are willing to work with the planning department. Uh they have given us a a uh a positive uh recommendation to approve. Um and we're willing to work with the neighborhood. Um we hear that there's a call for more housing in here in the city of Springfield. Uh we're we're we're we're we're working uh towards that goal. Uh and we're we're trying to uh work with these uh uh residents, few residents here. You know, you know, everything's on the table uh for uh for discussion. Um certainly we we would be willing to work with them uh on conditions. This is just the first step. This would be uh a multi-step process if this was granted.

Any other comments? Um, thank you uh, council for allowing us to present today. Attorney Rachel Fancy here on behalf of the proponent offices at One Monarch Place. Uh, I want to touch on a couple of pieces that were mentioned in by the opponents uh, that I will yield my time to our engineer to address and I agree with uh, Jim here that a lot of these issues will be resolved in the special permit phase. These are concerns that are going to get dealt with conservation. These are concerns that are going to be deal dealt with and vetted by actual site plans that are done right now. These are very preliminary plans on here. Uh we've been committed to meeting with the neighbors. I've met with them extensively. I know they're probably tired and seeing my face around, but uh but we've met extensively and I've told them that we want to work with them when we get to that site plan special permit phase. We want to make sure there's adequate buffering. We want to make sure that the neighbors feel that we're working together. Um this is just the first step on that pathway. This is a buildable lot. This is a developable site. Uh, and with that, I'm going to turn it over to our engineer just to walk through a couple of those pieces, even though it's not applicable tonight, but just to give the council maybe a little bit of peace of mind of understanding that this is a site that can be developed and utilized.

Thank you. You have 2 minutes and 46 seconds. Please state your name and address for the record.

Good evening. Mike Petus, Engineering Land Solutions, 2703 Boston Road, Wilberham. So to address just a handful of quick picture items with this parcel, the plan as presented if developed close in this nature is less than 24% coverage. So that means 76% will be open in green. The wetland boundary that you're seeing actually was confirmed when I met with Adam Anunowitz. He's your conservation agent with the planning department. So, this is an accurate boundary. And about the houses being wet or wet basement, what you're looking at here, the base of the footing of the house is actually 8 ft above the wetland boundary. So, there wouldn't be water stacking. We'd have bigger problems than these basements flooding if it was rising 8 ft. the the parcel itself is underllayed by very sandy soils. So, it's a very developable site. Um I don't want to say in engineering terms that it's an easy site, but it's relatively easy engineering wise.

You have to cut down a lot of

um ma'am, we're we're not going to interrupt. So within this, we personally have taken place in neighborhood meetings and we tried discussing items and we walked the site with the neighbors and we felt we addressed a lot of their concerns. I have a longstanding history with Mr. Bicowski as an engineering agent for him and I do find him to be a very responsible builder. In fact, often times he does extra work than what he should, not should, but what he has to, I should say. So, just speaking for his background as far as, you know, making profits. Most builders buy land to keep their company going. So, yes, he would stand to make a profit, but he also is investing in the city of Springfield a pretty substantial sum to do these four buildings. Um within that I guess I would open myself to any questions that you folks may have or the neighbors.

Very good. Um the all questions will be directed through the president of the city council and I will start with the city councilors. Any questions from city councilors? Councelor Dava. Uh

thank you. I have a question for Phil. Hi Phil. Uh Phil, quick question. The I'm looking here at the U map that was provided to us. Where it's quite a substantial quite a few houses which is quite welcoming. But where are they going to go into this lot? Are they going to have three different entryways or it's going to be one entryway through Hampshire Street? One entrance way through through Hampshire Street.

Hampshire Street would have to be continued to the parcel. It kind of deadends into the parcel. Now, the street itself doesn't continue. So, they would have to continue Hampshire Street to the to the parcel and then and then it would be on private property. But once once it get into into the property, how is is it going to be kind of a cubic on the street or what? How is it? I'm trying to

Well, no. If they get a zone change, they they they want to build four properties on on one lot. So, the Hampshire Street would dead end. Everything onto their property would basically be a private driveway. So the the public way would stop at the property line and then from then on it would be the the petitioner's responsibility unlike a subdivision that would go into the parcel. Okay. And then do a culde-sac or something and then that Right. That's what I'm thinking. Now is that how many street how many houses? Eight houses. No, I think they're proposing two two families or I'm sorry, four two families. And then there's 10 houses.

Four houses. Two family each. So, eight units but four separate structures. I could saw that I read something about town houses here. Well, I think they they that was one of their plans. Um but it's still it's still a total of eight units. It's either eight units in one building or eight units in four separate four structures is what they've proposed.

Okay. Okay. Okay. I got you. Right. Um, and now that private way, if I'm not mistaken, we have updated ordinance that they are supposed to upkeep it and pave it. Correct. They would continue Hampshire Street till it hits their property line. The city would responsible to plow it and maintain it. It would be But that street will have to be paid. Oh, absolutely. By by the con by the Yes, absolutely. The the developer. Yes. The developer would be responsible for the cost of paving the street to get it to their property. Okay. And uh and it would have to meet the public way standards. That's something that will be specified later.

Yeah. DBW DBW would require that to be paved to public way standards. Okay. All right. Thank you, Phil. Thank you, Madame President. Thank you, Councelor Davo. Any other questions, comments from the council? Seeing none, the opponents now have five minute rebuttal period. Do you want to take that time to speak?

I think I I think I've said everything that needs to be said, but I still say it's how did it get from being unbuildable to B to now being they want to change it to C. Um, it's been the wood's been there for since I was a kid. Um, even where the Kennedy Field was, that was all wet lands, too. And they covered all that in. There's It's wetlands down there. It's wet. And the pond. No. And we have a pet. We had a petition and I went around and asked the people, "Well, would you you want it or you don't?" And they said they didn't. We went to already to in front of the city Indian Orchard Citizen Council. They said, "No, we got to figure out about the tree thing. We got to have a perk test. We got to, you know, a lot of things needed to be done before you can say, "Oh, just go ahead and build." So, and you can see the pictures. I I brought pictures. I took notes. I looked up soilless thing. And it's not sandy down there. It is not sandy down there. And there's a lot of trees. And there is an ordinance about the tree cutting now, too. So, I don't know how they're going to fill that in with all that soil and put up a brick wall or something so that the water that it's not going to bother the pond. It's just a it's a big mess right now. It's been empty for so long. Now, we want to make more congestion in the area. It's, you know, we don't we don't want it, but we can't fight it. And where's our representative from Indian Orchard? That's another problem. You know, we need help on this project. So, I don't know.

Okay. Before they were going to build five or six houses. Now, they're down to four. So, they already know they got to get away from that area. They got to go up. And there's a back alley that the property, too. Are they going to use that as a as a turnaround place to come out of the property? And we got a lot of issues. And then there's a church back there, too. You know, we have we're we're concerned about all these things. And it all looks good on it looks good on paper, but you know, I think there's some testing and stuff that needs to be done down there. And they need to look at conservation. when we brought it to conservation before we brought it into this hall here. They could not settle it. So now this is it. We're here again.

Thank you. And of course, you know, um if you know the right people, you get things done. But thank you for letting me speak. And whatever happens happens. And uh I just hope they don't build. Sure. One minute. You have two minutes. Do I have to say my name again? No. Okay. Now, would any of these people want their mother or grandmother to buy a house in this area knowing that it is wetlands? Would anybody uh think of that? Would you want your mother there? You would. Mom, do not answer. Do direct call.

Oh, I've got a question to you. Yes. Would you want your mother there? I not going to answer, but you can direct all comments this way. Don't engage with the um community. Well, they're the ones that are going to do the deed. Yeah, they can address you at a neighborhood council meeting or offline, but not here in the city council chambers. Um mercy sakes, I don't know about all this. This is just city council procedures. Yeah. Yeah, I know. and just address the chair um the president if you have any comments or questions.

Well, I don't like the idea of wetlands being there. I mean, there's such a drop off there at the end of the street and and it's all wet. It's all wet. I understand. Maybe he's going to be in the poor house after this, you know. Thank you. We have 43 seconds. If you can say it in 43 seconds.

The other thing I I found out I I researched all the empty property in Indian Orchard. I have a list of all the empty available buildings and property including the the church that he goes to. Their school building is available for somebody to purchase and make into apartments. Why we have to cut down more woods? And I made a list of all the real estate that is for sale in Wilberham. Why doesn't he build in Wilberham? He lives in Wilberham. People that have money don't want to live in Indian Orchard, believe me. They go to other areas where there's not so much riffraff and trouble and crime. We have shootings. We have uh you know, a lot of things going on in our area, but we don't want to leave cuz we've been there.

Times up, ma'am. We We understand. Thank you. Thank you. All right. Any questions to the opponents right now from counselors comment? Well, we're going to do a deliberation, but if you want to make a comment to the opponent, you can. Sure. Councelor Martin.

Um, thank you ladies for coming and airing your grievances, but I I do just want to come to the defense of one of my colleagues. You know, I know you mentioned that councelor Govan is not here, but I know her to be a woman of extreme integrity, somebody who's always responding to constituents and and a and a great colleague. So, I just I want to come to her defense publicly and say that I I have full confidence in how she represents her neighborhood. Thank you.

Thank you, Councelor Martin. And I was going to also address that we have counselors that could not make it today. We do not know their personal situation. We do not know what's going on with their families. So, please refrain from um saying any remarks about our colleagues on the city council because they can't be present today. Thank you very much. Once again, any other council. Thank you, Madame President. Uh I guess I have a if the lady that just spoke now, uh the young lady, was that you, ma'am? Whoever just spoke down. Oh, the last one. Yeah, the one who was first and last.

Yeah. Ma'am, can you come back to the podium? Is that Yes. No, I'm sorry. I'm sorry. It was No, I'm sorry. Who was the one who was the one that say that with caught my eye the comment that you made that you asked you posed a question as to why is it that it was not buildable before but is buildable now? Who who made that? Oh, that was um you ma'am. you know what you're saying. He he he asked just if I can reiterate he asked for the person who asked the question about um the land was not buildable before but is buildable now. Whoever made that comment. Okay. Can you come back to the podium? He has a qu um councelor Dava has a question for you.

Hi ma'am. I just wondering if you could expand on that answer. Um, why why are you claiming that it wasn't buildable? And what changed?

I don't Well, what changed? That's the question. I have a paperwork here. Let me just find it. And if you want, I'll let you because this is my personal folder of my stuff I sent to the mayor, to Zeta Groven. Everything is here. This and and I send um uh paperwork here. I got pictures of part of it is supposed to be for um uh wildlife management too, but that all got overlooked. Nobody nobody wanted to deal with it. And I called and I we've already presented this in conservation too and they voted. They couldn't make a decision. But there I got pictures here. I got counselor I'm not

I got the ma'am if you give me just if you give me a quick second ma'am please. Oh, I I just want to clarify. I've had this conversation with a couple of the abutters. The unbuildable that they're referring to is an assessor's code that people can put on their land that allows them to pay less taxes on a piece of property. Many times it means that you're you're it is an unbuildable lot, but it doesn't always mean you're unbuildable. Just because the assessors assess it as unbuildable does not mean it's not unbuildable. So this one although it was being assessed as an unbuildable lot by the assessors okay somebody a developer has now come in and and it can easily change to to develop

so to be clear there's no restriction based upon either conservation no any EPA rules any just to clarify the lot is buildable yes and to clarify on the wetlands issue the pond is the actual wetlands there is a wetland buffer that extends into this property. Is that 50 or 100 ft? Well, it it's basically it's it's 200 f feet from the wetland. Okay. Within 200 feet, you need approval from the conservation commission to build. Within 100 feet, I don't believe you can. It might be 50, but I think it's 100. But um so, so they're going to at the end of the day, if this moves forward with a development, they are going to need conservation commission approval. They have not gotten that yet because they have not applied for it.

We're just doing the sun change. There was a site there was a sitewalk by the conservation agent who walked the site to verify the wetland buffers, but nothing has been submitted to the conservation commission yet. That will be part of the approval process if and when this development moves forward. Thank you, Phil. Thank you, counselor. Any other questions? Any other questions for the opponent? Councelor Click Bruce, I just have a general question. It's not for the opponent. So now Okay, you can go ahead though.

Uh thank you, Madam President. Um do we uh Glattus, do we have a a letter from the uh civic association made in Orchard on this on this matter at all? I don't have anything in my emails that I've received or by mail. Okay. All right.

Thank you. Any other questions or comments? All right. No, your opponent time is done. I'm asking counselors right now. Any other questions? Seeing none, we're going to close this portion of the hearing and we we'll have deliberations from the council. Any deliberations? Anyone have questions, comments, concerns? Councelor Martin.

I mean, based off of just hearing from Phil right now, this seems to be a a firststep measure. A lot of the concerns um brought forward by the the citizens of Indian Orchard seem to be environmentally centered. Um if there are concerns, those will be addressed on once it goes through the conservation committee after this first step is initiated. So, I I plan on voting in favor of the zone change to get that process moving. Thank you. Thank you, Councelor Martin. It is in fact a zone change. This is not a special permit hearing. Thank you for that clarification. Um, I do want to have the proponents come up. Ma'am, can you can take a seat, please? I would like to have the proponents come up so I can explain something one more time. Just special permits.

I just want the clarification. Councelor Shay, Council Shay, Attorney Shay. Yes. I I had to turn my mic on for the zone change. Is do we need a twothirds vote? Yes, you do. Okay. And for the zone change, if the twothirds vote does not pass, do they have to wait two years? Yes. Unless they come back with some major change to the proposal. If they want to bring back the exact same change, they would have to wait two years. Is that accurate, Phil?

Yeah. I I according to state law, the only way you can come back before two years is if the planning board recommended approval, which in this case, the planning board did not. The planning board had a no recommendation. And there was I think there was two forward, two against, and one abstained. So So in this case, I believe if the special permit fails, it it has to wait two years before you could come back. That's my understanding of the

right. The city council rule has language in it that if you can't bring it back with the same language, but if it comes back with changes in it, so it's not ex not the same and it's to a different proposal that could come forward. Well, I I believe that's for a special permit because the zone change they'd be coming back for the same zone change. It would still be resident C. So, I believe a special permit if it's significantly changed can come back before the two years. I'm not sure about the zone change. I I stand corrected. You're right. Thank you, Attorney Shay. So, I just again want to reiterate, councelor Hurst.

So, can I have clarification? This is a zone change and so if someone council this is a zone change and so just for clarification attorney Shay are we saying that if this does not pass today then they cannot come back before the city council for two years for a zone change. I certainly understand that's the case for a special permit but right just didn't know about a zone change. Right. I I stand corrected because that is the thing um on the special permit. You're correct. Okay. Okay. You're correct.

So, they can come back before the council within the two years for a zone change. Yes. Okay. Thank you.

I think we need clarification on the zone change because I do not want to tell this petitioner the wrong information. um and they cannot come back if it's not voted today. We have a lot of counselors out today. Um but I do want to give you the opportunity to continue to the 27th if you need to of April. Um because we only have nine city councilors here today and you need a twothirds vote. And so if one person votes against this zone change, um I'm not sure if it can come right back on the 27th or we it will wait have to wait two years. I need to get clarification on that really quickly.

Sure. But so it's rule 23 of the city council rules and um I'll read it. It says a petition to the city council for a Well, I'm This is a special permit. So, zone change. The council fails to vote to adopt a proposed zone change ordinance within 90 days after the hearing. So, that would be tonight. No action shall be taken until a subsequent hearing is held. So, that that two-year item does not apply to a zone change. Okay. I I was stand corrected because what I was talking about uh Madame President was um special permits.

So the zone change if it doesn't pass they'll have to come back but they don't have to wait two years on a zone change. Wait no I'm sorry. Hold it. Wait a minute. Which which rule am I in? Give me one minute. I'm going to be okay.

Rule 23 section B. I just want to stress to the council, this came up uh probably a year or so ago where I actually looked into the state law and it and for a zone change, the only way a zone change can come back prior to the two years if if there was a positive recommendation made by the planning board. So if the planning board had voted to approve it, you can bring a zone change back prior to the two years. That's my that's what I read for I didn't read the city council. I read the the state 4A. So, it's my understanding if the planning board has not made a positive recommendation, which in this case it has not. I don't believe you can come back but

so in the in rule 23 section 8 it says no proposed zoning ordinance or bylaw which has been unfavorably acted upon by the city council shall be considered by the city council within two years after the date of such unfavorable action unless the adoption of such proposed ordinance or bylaw is recommended in the final report of the planning board subject to mass laws uh chapter 48 section 5. Yeah, that's that's that's what I read. So, the planning board would have had to have made a positive recommendation in order for it to come back if it's voted down tonight. If not, they're going to have to wait two years. So, did the planning board make a positive recommendation? Did I not see that?

There was a no recommendation. There was a no recommendation from the planning board. Correct.

Got it. Okay. So, okay, let me see. Zone change special permit limit limitations rule 23. No proposed zone zoning ordinance which has been favor unfavorably acted on by the city council shall be considered by the city council within two years after the date of such unfavorable action unless the adoption of such proposed ordinance or bylaw is recommended in a final report of the planning board. This is what Phil is saying. Okay,

this is rule 23 in the city council or in the city council orders.

A petition to the city council for a special permit for a use permitted within a zoning district which has been unfavorably and finally acted upon by the city council. shall not be favorably acted upon by the city council within two years of the date of the final unfavorable action unless the city council by twothirds vote makes findings and the record and rec records I'm sorry in its records of proceed proceedings specific material changes in the condition upon which the previous unfavorable action was based and unless all but one of the members of the planning board consents there to and after notice is given two parties in interest of time and place and proceedings when the question of such consent by the planning board and city council will be considered. So based on the city council rules, if the planning board voted no, the zone change cannot come back before the city council for two years unless section B of rule 23 happens. Councelor Davia, council, help. Actually, I I will I will defer to a forest if you allow me to cancel a friend.

Sure. Thank you. I I just want to say that's that's exactly right, Madam President. And um and the state law that's cited there, chapter 48 section 5, that that's consistent across the Commonwealth. So that that rule in the council rules, uh it would be the same if we were in Holio, Chabe, East Long Meadow. That's that's the state rule. we wouldn't be permitted to consider it for 2 years um after a denial if that denial uh was accompanied by a negative recommendation or failure to make a positive recommendation from the planning board which is the case here.

Thank you. Thank you councelor Attorney Fenton Council Davilla. Uh, Madame President, I think it's quite appropriate to make a motion to continue this until the next uh meeting uh hearings night to the next hearing meeting on April 27th. Is there a second? Sec um motion made by councelor Davula, seconded by councelor click Bruce. Is there any deliberation on the motion? Seeing none, madame clerk, please call the role on the motion to committee. I mean to continue. On the motion to continue. Councelor Santelo.

Uh before I vote, I'd like to publicly disclose that Fitzgerald Law has done work for me in the past. Uh no. No motion to committee. I mean to continue. I'm sorry. No. No. Councelor Martin on the motion to continue. I thought I said no. I'm sorry. No. No. Councelor Perez, absent. Councelor Brown, absent. Councelor Govan, absent. Councelor Walsh, absent. Councelor Hurst. No. No. Councelor Davila. Yes. Yes. Councelor Fenton. Yes. Yes. Councelor Delgado. Yes. Yes. Councelor Click Bruce.

Yes. Yes. Councelor Edwards. Yes. Yes. Councelor Whitfield. Yes. Thank you. That will be on the 27th, Madam President. Yes, it will. Okay. Thank you. I think the motion failed. One, two, three, four, five, six, seven. Oh, yeah. Motion passed. Right. Oh, did Justin say no? Oh, sorry. Motion fell. I'm sorry. M clair, could you just clarify it? I want to make sure I got it right. You are correct. It's

just really quickly. Um I'd love to hear whether the petitioner would like this continue and I don't know if that's appropriate, but I did ask and didn't get the answer. I mean, I apologize because the motion just came up. So, I do apologize. If the petitioner would like it continued, then I will certainly agree to have it continue. Petitioner. Thank you, Madam President. I think yeah, in light of uh of having more counselors having the opportunity to uh to weigh in. I think we could continue uh till the 27th if that if that would be agreeable to the council.

Thank you. I think at this point we have to make a motion to reconsider the motion to continue. So right now we'll do the motion to reconsider. Council Davilla. Oh, somebody. Oh, sorry. Motion to reconsider. Second. Motion to reconsider made by councelor Davila, seconded by councelor Finton. Is there any deliberation on the motion? Seeing none, madam clerk, please call the role. on the motion to reconsider. Councelor Santanelo, yes. Yes. Councelor Martin.

Yes. Yes. Councelor Perez, absent. Councelor Brown, absent. Councelor Govan, and Councelor Walsh, absent. Councelor Hurst, yes. Yes. Councelor Davilan, yes. Yes. Councelor Fenton. Yes. Yes. Councelor Delgado. Yes. Yes. Councelor Click Bruce. Yes. Yes. Councelor Edwards. Yes. Yes. Councelor Woodfield. Yes. Now, thank you very much. That was the motion to reconsider. Now, they get they threw it all at me from my first hearing meeting. Um, so now we are going to make a motion. Um, is there a motion to continue? So moved. Thank you, councelor Dava. Is there a second? Second.

Who's Who is that? Councelor Santanelo. Second. Madame clerk, please call the role. On the motion to continue. Councelor Santanelo. Yes. Yes. Councelor Martin. Yes. Yes. Councilors Perez, Brown, Govan, and Walsh. Absent. Councelor Hurst. Yes. Yes. Councelor Davila. Yes. Yes. Councelor Fenton. Yes. Yes. Councelor Delgado. Yes. Yes. Councelor Click Bruce. Yes. Yes. Councelor Edwards. Yes. Yes. Councelor Whitfield.

Yes. Motion pass. See you on the 27th of April. Okay, Madame Clerk, please call the next item on the agenda.

Item two is a zone change for Court Square Urban Renewal Industrial A to Business B. Hello, petitioner. Please state your name and address for the record. You have 20 minutes from the petitioner, followed by questions from the council, 20 minutes from the opponent, followed by questions from the council. Fiveminute rebuttals for both sides and then we'll move forward from there. I'm tired. Say your name and address for the record.

Thank you, Madam President. Uh Tim Sheen, uh 26 Eington Street, Springfield, Massachusetts. I am both the uh executive director of the Springfield Redevelopment Authority and the chief development officer for the city. the northeast section of downtown Springfield, which is included uh in the Court Square urban renewal plan and is the area in which the SRRA is seeking this zoning modification for, is characterized by numerous historic brick buildings and warehouses, many of which represented the city's once thriving manufacturing uses, which included metalwork, paper, automotive industry, production. The initial growth of the area occurred in the early to mid 1800s with the extension of the Western Railroad to Springfield, completing the link to Boston, which we are seeking to reestablish and strengthen today through the East West Rail Initiative. Despite numerous economic and physical setbacks over the years, including major fires and the 2012 glass uh gas explosion that damaged dozen of dozens of buildings in the core of the district, the area holds tremendous potential for redevelopment as trans as a transit oriented neighborhood anchored by the recently renovated Union Station and the potential conductivity afforded by an anticipated increase in rail service in the coming years. The district is ripe for mixed income multif family residential development, including an especially strong demand for market rate units. The area benefits from being within walking distance of the downtown's many amenities, professional offices, and cultural attractions, including the Springfield Museums. The district's strategic positioning due to both its proximity to Union Station and the interstate highways and its walkable connectivity to the downtown make it a prime location for a denser urban neighborhood. Furthermore, the area is

fit to be redeveloped utilizing transit oriented development principles, establishing a walkable fullervice neighborhood within a quarter of a mile of the transit hub. The city's immediate focus is on improving the blighted landscape through the redevelopment of vacant properties, which will also help improve the perception of the district and provide amenities for the surrounding neighborhoods. We are seeking to advance a revitalized urban neighborhood with to the degree possible historically preserved building stock, generous public open spaces, flexible streetscapes, locallyowned businesses, and high degree of access to transit. So, what's the problem and why am I before you? As you can see from the maps displayed, much of the area that we are seeking to redevelop is zoned industrial A. In the industrial A zone, housing is not an allowable use. The industrial A zoning was intended to support the industrial uses that I mentioned at the outset. those heavy industrial uses left the downtown long ago. And I certainly hope that we can agree that such heavy industrial and manufacturing uses and their related impacts are inconsistent with modern urban planning principles for a downtown neighborhood. Thus, the SRRA is seeking the city council's approval of the requested reszoning of industrial Azone properties in the district to business B. Thank you.

Thank you, Director Sheen. Um, is there any other people here to speak on behalf of the proponents? Again, any other proponents? Seeing none, we'll open up questions from council. Madam President, could I also indicate that um this did get a favorable review from the uh planning board? Thank you. Favorable review from planning board. Thank you, Miss Sheen. Any de um other testimonies from the proponents? Seeing none, councilors, any questions or comments? Yeah, councelor Santanelo, real quick. Tim, um how long you've been working on this?

Uh the urban renewal plan was approved unanimously by the uh city council in 2022. So we've been advancing uh activities in the district and in this particular area since uh 2022. So you don't think we've lost any potential development in those three years? I think that the actually the the area has become uh quite hot in the real estate market as of the past uh year and a half. I just want to comment uh thank you for your hard work. Thank you.

Thank you councelor Santel. Any other questions for the proponent? Seeing none, we'll now open up testimonies from the opponents. Are there any opponents wanting to speak on this zone change? Seeing none, no need for a fivem minute rebuttal. Any questions from council? Seeing none, the hearing is closed. Oh. Oh, never mind. I I just had a comment. Um, thank you, Madam President.

It's still open. Oh, so I just my comment was uh Tim came in front of the economic development subcommittee meeting um recently and went over this plan and I think it's pretty exciting to see that we're getting ahead with the times and you know as much as we would love to see the manufacturing sector come back um we're not seeing that and so to put some of these uh properties to a better use for potential future development I think is a is a win for the city and and making sure that we're catching up and not uh falling behind. So I definitely support this. Thank you, councelor Delgado. Any other questions or comments? Seeing none, we will close this portion of the hearing.

Any deliberation from counselors? Seeing none, Madame Clerk, please call the role on the zone change. On approval, councelor Santanelo. Yes. Yes. Councelor Martin. Yes. Yes. Councilors Perez, Brown, Govan, and Walsh. Absent. Councelor Hurst. Yes. Yes. Councelor Dawa. Yes. Yes. Councelor Fenton. Yes. Yes. Councelor Delgado. Yes. Yes. Councelor Click Bruce. Yes. Yes. Councelor Edwards. Yes. Yes. Councelor Whitfield. Yes. The zone change pack. Thank you, Mr. Sheen.

All right. All right, we'll move on to our special permits section. Without objection, I would like to take item number 10 out of order because they do wish to continue from um to April 27th. Is there a motion? Any objection first? Any is there a motion to continue item number 10? So moved. Second. Item motion to continue made by councelor her. Second by councelor Finton. Madame clerk, any deliberation? Councelor Delva Delgado, I don't know. You all sound like men. Councelor Santelo,

I know, but you I heard somebody over here then you. So, I'm going to say motion made by councelor her, seconded by councelor Delgado. Any deliberation on the motion to continue? Seeing none, madame clerk, please call the role. Councelor Santanelo. Councelor Santanelo says yes. Councelor Martin. Yes. Yes. Councilors Perez, Brown, Govan, and Walsh, absent. Councelor Hurst, yes. Yes. Councelor Dabila, yes. Yes. Councelor Fenton, yes. Yes. Councelor Delgado. Yes. Yes. Councelor Click Bruce. Yes. Yes. Councelor Edwards. Yes. Yes. Councelor Whitfield.

Yes. Motion to continue approve. Madam clerk, please call the next item. Item number three is 125 Main Street, Indian Orchard. the change in petitioner. Thank you. Please state your name and address for the record. Please be reminded you have 20 minutes to speak. You and all um proponents.

Yeah. My name is Richard De Jesus. Uh 125 Main Street Indian Orchard. Uh I own a repair shop in a slash dealer called Primos Auto Center. Uh last I used to own it with somebody else. They retired. So, we put everything under my name, even the the dealer license. When the when the renewal came, the inspector noticed that the permit wasn't under my name. So, that's what I'm here for. Thank you. Anyone else to speak on behalf of the proponent? Seeing none, anyone here to speak in opposition? Seeing none, any questions, comments, deliberation from the council. Seeing none, we close this. Oh, did you have a

No. Oh, thank you. We close this portion of the hearing. Um, is there any deliberation from counselors? Seeing none, madame clerk, please call the role on approval of the special permit. Councelor Santelo. Yes. Yes. Councelor Martin. Yes. Yes. Councilors Perez, Brown, Goban, and Walsh. Absent. Councelor Hurst. Yes. Yes. Councelor Davila. Yes. Yes. Councelor Fenton. Yes. Yes. Councelor Delgado. Yes. Yes. Councelor Click Bruce. Yes. Yes. Councelor Edwards. Yes. Yes. Councelor Whitfield.

Yes. Motion approved. Madame Clerk. I'm sorry. Petition approved. Madame clerk, please call. Oh, no reason. reason there. Thank you. Thank you. Seat seat number seat number seat number one has its privileges. All right. Um, councelor Santelo. Y please. The uh specific site is an appropriate location for such a use structure and condition. The use as developed will not adversely affect the neighborhood. Adequate and appropriate facilities will be provided for the proper operation of the proposed use. to incorporate the planning staff analysis into the decision at the basis of its findings. Thank you, madam clerk. Please call the role on the reasons.

On approval of the reasons, councelor Santanelo, yes. Yes. Councelor Martin away. Councelor Perez Brown goan Walsh absent. Councelor Hurst. Yes. Yes. Councelor Davila. Yes. Yes. Councelor Fenton. Yes. Yes. Councelor Dogado. Yes. Yes. Councelor Click Bruce. Yes. Yes. Councelor Edwards. Yes. Yes. Councelor Whitfield. Yes. Motion approved. Reasons. We need seven votes on that. Is that correct? Okay. Reasons approved. Madame clerk, please call the next item.

The next item on the agenda is item number four, 880 Boston Road, north side Boston Road and east side of Elmore Avenue. A change in the petitioner. Please state your name and address for the record. Uh Josh Goldstein, attorney from Bacon Wilson, 33 State Street, uh Springfield. You can give testimony.

Yep. Um so again, my name is Josh Goldstein. Uh here along with me is Muhammad Rajab. Um the owner of Driveline Motors, the applicant here. Um the applicant is under agreement to purchase the property located at 880 Boston Road, um which is currently a used car dealership known as uh Thrifty Car Sales. Um, the applicant desires to continue the seller's existing use of the premises. Um, and as a result, we're applying to simply amend the seller's existing special permit from 2003 uh to substitute the buyer applicant in for the seller. Um, the applicant is an experienced automobile dealer. Um, has been operating a used car car dealership known as Geneva Auto Sales in West Springfield for over 5 years now. Um, he's never had any violation complaints or anything like that. um is always maintained the premises in a clean and sanitary manner um and in compliance with applicable law. Um if this is approved, the applicant will transitioning his existing dealership over to this location. Um we've met with the the neighborhood council and have their you know they voted unanimously for the change to occur. Um and it also appears that we have the support of the planning board. Um so based on this brief discussion, we respectfully request that you approve this application.

Thank you. Are there any other petitioners that would like to speak or speak on behalf of the proponents? Any questions from counselors to the proponents? Oh, seeing none. Is there anyone here to speak in opposition of the of the special permit? Again, anyone here to speak in opposition of the special permit? Seeing none, we will close the hearing. Any deliberation from counselors? Councelor Davilla. Thank you, Madame President. I just have a quick question for Phil. For Phil. Sure.

Hi, Phil. I just want dotting my eyes and crossing my tees. Uh it says here on the on the paperwork 880 Boston Row, but then in your um site review says 927 Boston. Oh, well that that that's just a I I use I use the same analysis for a number of same kind of layout. So I I I missed that. It's 880. Okay. Sorry. Something about the devil. I'll correct that before I send it down to something about the the the devil being in the details. Yes. Okay. All right. But but what does matter is that the tax certification it's clear and it's stated as 880 Boston road. Yes.

Good. Thank you. Thank you madam. Thank you councelor Davlin. Any other questions or comments? Deliberation. Seeing none. Madame clerk please call the role on the special permit. On approval of the special permit. Councelor Santelo. Yes. Yes. Councelor Martin. Yes. Yes. Councilors Perez, Brown, Govan, and Walsh. Absent. Councelor Hurst. Yes. Yes. Councelor Davila. Yes. Yes. Councelor Fenton. Yes. Yes. Councelor Delgado. Yes. Yes. Councelor Click Bruce. Yes. Yes. Councelor Edwards. Yes. Yes. Councelor Whitfield. Yes. Permit is approved.

Thank you very much. Councelor Santelo on the reasons. Gladly. Reasons for granting the permit. The specific site is an appropriate location for such a use, structure, and condition. The use as developed will not adversely affect the neighborhood. Adequate and appropriate facilities will be provided for the proper operation of the proposed use to incorporate the planning staff analysis into the decision at the basis of its findings. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Please call the role on the reasons. Councelor Sentinelo. Yes. Yes. Councelor Martin. Yes. Yes. Counselors Perez, Brown, Govan, and Walsh. Absent. Councelor Hurst.

Yes. Yes. Councelor Davila. Yes. Yes. Councelor Fenton. Yes. Yes. Councelor Delgado. Yes. Yes. Councelor Click Bruce. Yes. Yes. Councelor Edwards. Yes. Councelor Woodfield. Yes. Motion approved. Madame clerk, please call the next item on the agenda. Item five is 7:15 Liberty Street, a change in petitioner. Please state your name and address for the record. I don't know if you've been here the whole time, but you get 20 minutes to speak. Okay. Thank you.

Omar Alcadri, 86 Marita Street in Springfield. I'm here actually for a special permit leasing a property in 715 Liberty Street. I own another business in Armory Street, 118 Armory Street. I used to work there back in the days in 2007 and then I bought them out in 2009. I've been out in that business since that day and I leased another with this property, new property right now. I'm just going to make it for the sale and use the other one for repair only.

Thank you. Is in Is there anyone else here to speak in favor of the petition? Is there anyone here to speak in opposition of the position petition? Does councilors have any deliberation, questions, comments on the petition? Councelor Fenton. Thank you, Madam President. Just to say that uh Hungary Hill doesn't have any objection to this uh special permit. Thank you, Councelor Finton. Any other comments or questions from counselors? Yeah, I just want Santella. Yeah, I just want to state for the record. I plan on voting for this and I want to commend you for being a property owner, business owner in the city of Springfield and I look forward to passing this.

Thank you. Thank you councelor Santelo. Any others? Hearing closed, any deliberation from counselors? Seeing none, madame clerk, please call the role on approval of the special permit. Councelor Santanella. Yes. Yes. Councelor Martin. Yes. Yes. Councilors Perez Brown, Govan, Walsh, absent. Councelor Hurst, yes. Yes. Councelor Davila, yes. Yes. Councelor Fenton, yes. Yes. Councelor Dogado, yes. Yes. Councelor Click Bruce. Yes. Yes. Councelor Ed. Yes. Yes. Councelor Whitfield. Yes.

Petition special permit approved. Councelor Santel on the reasons. I've never gotten this kind of press. Reasons for granting the permit. The specific site is an appropriate location for such a use, structure, and condition. The use as developed will not adversely affect the neighborhood. Adequate and appropriate facilities will be provided for the proper operation of the proposed use to incorporate the planning staff analysis into the decision at the basis of the findings. Thank you, Madame Clerk. Please call the role on the reasons. Councelor Santelo. Yes. Yes. Councelor Martin. Yes.

Yes. Councilors Perez, Brown, Govan, and Walsh. Absent. Councelor Hurst. Yes. Yes. Councelor Davila. Yes. Yes. Councelor Fenton. Yes. Yes. Councelor Delgado. Yes. Yes. Councelor Click Bruce. Yes. Yes. Councelor Edwards. Yes. Yes. Councelor Woodfield. Me? Yes. Yes. Reasons approved. Thank you. Thank you. Good luck. Madame clerk, please call the next item on the agenda. Item six is 586 Berkshire Avenue to operate an auto body repair shop and a used car dealership. 20 minutes. Yep.

Name and address for the record.

Uh Gabriel Sanchez Jr. from Mass Collision, 586 Bergkshire. Um been a family-owned shop for for about 14 years. um trying to to help a few customers. We've noticed in the in the past um we're trying to try trying to add a dealership license for used uh auto sales. Um notice a few customers that have uh total their cars. So, we're trying to give that the opportunity to expand in that department to to help our customers. Um again, familyowned shop, Hispanic, trying to push Springfield forward. That's about it.

Anyone else here to speak on behalf of the petition in a positive way for the proponent? Any opposition? Seeing none, any questions from the council, comments, concerns? Councelor Martin. Gabriel, you said this is a family business. Yes, sir. How long? 14 years. 14 years. Was it your parents? Yeah, my dad. Well, good for you for continuing that legacy. Must be very proud. Thank you. Thank you. You're very welcome.

Any other counselors? Thank you, councelor Martin. Seeing none, we'll now close this portion of the hearing. Any deliberation from counselors? Seeing none, madam clerk, please call the role on approval of the special permit. Councelor Santanella. Yes. Yes. Councelor Martin. Yes. Yes. Councilors Perez, Brown, Govan, and Walsh. Absent. Councelor Hurst. Yes. Yes. Councelor Davila. Yes. Yes. Councelor Fenton. Yes. Yes. Councelor Delgado. Yes. Yes. Councelor Click Bruce. Yes. Yes. Councelor Edwards. Yes. Yes. Councelor Whitfield. Yes. Motion. Approved.

Councelor Santanelo. On the reasons. On the reasons. The specific site is an appropriate location for such a use, structure and condition. The use as developed will not adversely affect the neighborhood. Adequate appropriate facilities will be provided for the proper operation of the proposed use to incorporate the planning staff analysis into the decision at the basis of its findings. Thank you. Madame clerk, please call the role. Councelor Santelo, yes. Yes. Councelor Martin. Yes. Yes. Councilors Perez, Brown, Govan, and Walsh. Absent. Councelor Hurst. Yes. Yes. Councelor Davila. Yes. Yes. Councelor Fenton. Yes. Yes. Councelor Delgado.

Yes. Yes. Councelor Click Bruce. Yes. Yes. Councelor Edwards. Away. Councelor. No. He's there. Where is he? Yes. Yes. Councelor Whitfield. Yes. Reasons approved. Position. Special permit approved. Good luck. Um George or someone from focus can you check is okay.

Oh too many people open. Okay. Thank you. Madame clerk please call the next item. The next item is item number 71 1213 Worcester Street Motor Vehicle Sales and Repairs. for the record. You've been here the whole time watching. You know, you got 20 minutes. My name is Gorovan. Uh 222 Beakman Drive, Awam, Massachusetts. My name is Abdman Zawi, 283 Parker Street, East Long Meadow.

Um so we are business partners. We're actually opening up a car dealership um at 1213 Worcester Street. Um we have been around cars. We've been working on cars uh pretty much our whole lives. Um we are at that spot in life where we would like to open a dealership and a repair shop. Um so at the moment we are requesting a uh special permit to be uh for that property to be used as one. Um that property itself has been a used car dealership and a repair shop for the last 20 years. Um we are also um coming into the business and being the neighbors of the person who actually owned the dealership before. He's actually our neighbor now. Um, we have our blessings from the Indian Indian Orchard Citizens uh council as well as well as VA Goven. Um, we emailed the uh the support letter to Phil as well. Um, yep. Thank you.

Any other anyone else here to speak in favor of the proponent of the petitioner? Seeing none, is there any opposition? Seeing none. Any questions for the petitioner from city councilors? Councelor Santanella. Yes. How many cars do you expect to have on the lot? Uh we're allowed to the previous permit allowed to have uh 10 cars on the lot uh with two on display. Uh so we continue we expect to continue the same same thing. Y hours of operation uh Monday to Saturday 9 to5. And how many employees you going to have? Uh, it's just going to be me and my partner.

Thank you. Any other questions from counselors? Seeing none, we'll close this portion of the hearing. Any deliberation from counselors? Seeing none, madame clerk, please call the role. On approval, councelor Santanelo, yes. Yes. Councelor Martin, yes. Yes. Counselors Perez, Brown, Govan, and Walsh, absent. Councelor Hurst. Yes. Yes. Councelor Davila. Yes. Yes. Councelor Fenton. Yes. Yes. Councelor Delgado. Yes. Yes. Councelor Click Bruce. Yes. Yes. Councelor Edwards. Yes. Yes. Councelor Whitfield.

Yes. Special permit approved. Councelor Santanelo. On the reasons. On the reasons. The specific site is appropriate location for such a use, structure, or condition. The use as developed will not adversely affect the neighborhood. Adequate and appropriate facilities will be provided for the proper operation of the proposed use to incorporate the planning staff analysis into the decision at the basis of the findings. Thank you. Madame clerk, please call the role on the reasons. Councelor Santinelo, yes. Yes. Councelor Martin. Yes. Yes. Councilors Perez, Brown, Goban, and Walsh. Absent. Councelor Hurst. Yes. Yes. Councelor Davila. Yes. Yes. Councelor Fenton. Yes.

Yes. Councelor Dogado. Yes. Yes. Councelor Click Bruce. Yes. Yes. Councelor Edwards. Yes. Yes. Councelor Whitfield. Yes. Special permit approved. I mean, reasons approved. Good luck. Thank you. Madam clerk, please call the next item. The next item is 15 Austin Street and this is change in petitioner. Please state your name and address for the record. You have 20 minutes. George Pangen from George's Auto Body in Austin Auto Sales. Okay, you can give your testimony.

I'm third generation owner of the auto body shop and the dealership and I'm just trying to switch it over to my name. It's it was previously in my father's name and now that he's basically retired, I'm just trying to get it over to my name through the city. Thank you. Any other people here to speak in favor of the proponent of the petitioner? Any opposition? Any questions, comments, deliberation from council? Seeing none, we will close this portion of the hearing. Any comments or deliberation from the council? Seeing none, madam clerk, please call the role.

On approval, councelor Santanelo. Oh, sorry. It's all right. Yes. Yes. Councelor Martin. Yes. Yes. Councilors Perez, Brown, Govan, and Walsh. Absent. Councelor Hurst. Yes. Yes. Councelor Davila. Yes. Yes. Councelor Fenton. Yes. Yes. Councelor Dogado. Yes. Yes. Councelor Click Bruce. Yes. Yes. Councelor Edwards. Yes. Yes. Councelor Whitfield. Yes. Special permit change of petitioner approves. Councelor Santino on the reasons

the specific site is an appropriate location for such a use structure or condition. The use as developed will not adversely affect the neighborhood. Adequate and appropriate facilities will be provided for the proper operation of the proposed use. to incorporate the planning staff analysis into the decision at the basis of the findings. Clerk, please call the role on the reasons. Councelor Santanelo, yes. Yes. Councelor Martin, yes. Yes. Councilors Perez, Brown, Govan, and Walsh, absent. Councelor Hurst, yes. Yes. Councelor Davila, yes. Yes. Councelor Fenton, yes. Yes. Councelor Delgado, yes. Yes. Councelor Click Bruce, yes. Yes. Councelor Edwards,

yes. Yes. Councelor Woodfield, yes. Reasons approved. Good luck. Thank you. Thank you, councel. You're welcome. Madame clerk, please call the next item. Item 9 is 824 Birkshire Avenue. A change to approve plans by adding units. Please state your name and address for the record. Petitioners have 20 minutes. Proponents. Opposition has 20 minutes. Rebuttal is needed for 5 minutes a piece. You have the floor name and address for the record.

Uh, good evening. I'm Rob Le from our LEC associates. Uh thank you, Madame Pres, President and counselors. We're here this evening for a request to amend an application that was submitted and voted on in December of 2025, specifically the proposed uh housing project on Berkshire Avenue. We had uh worked closely with uh a local architect that had made some adjustments to the building, specifically increasing the number of units uh to 37. Um this is still under the amount that was originally discussed at the neighborhood meeting with the Indian or Indian Orchard Council. Uh also uh the reallocation of units was based on the actual need uh demographics of the area uh as well as the uh just the general need for housing in the city of Springfield. Uh we'd be happy to answer any questions you may have. Generally speaking, the site plan has not changed. It was originally anticipated for uh 40 some odd units. uh we ended up in this particular uh arrangement with 37 units and we apologize for being back before you and we appreciate your extra time on this. Thank you very much.

Thank you. Anyone else here to speak in favor of the petitioner? Any questions for the petitioner? Councelor Dava. Councelor Santel. Um why the reduction of three? Um I'm sorry. the reduction of three uh it's an increase in units increases to 37 I'm sorry the reduction in three over the original uh we weren't able to accommodate uh the original um unit count was based on a you know schematic design which has been refined since so we're we're maxing out at 37 market rate yes sir thank you thank you thank you councelor councelor Davler

thank you madame president yeah I was going to ask similar question um did you say that the neighborhood council suggested 42 units. Uh we received a letter in support on March 20 March of 2024 from Lori McCorenddale and Zeta Goyan who also a counselor. Um and they had supported a range between 40 and 48. So it wasn't mandated or dictated but they were at that time we had shown them 42 to 48. And what was the permit that we gave you? I'm sorry. How many units did it give you? I believe it was 24. And we're now requesting to be at 37. So we gave you 24. Yes, sir. That's more than three, right?

I'm sorry. Did you say 24 or 34? 24. And now the new number is 37. What? So you're increasing 13 units. Come here. So just to clarify, so the new number is 37. So what how many units did we approve back then? 37. No, no, no, no. I'm I I have trouble hearing you, sir. Sorry. Yeah. So, let me let me tell you what I think you just told me. Okay. I think you just told me that the neighbor council suggested between 40 to 48.

No, we had suggested at the time of our neighborhood meeting that we anticipated we would be going for 42 to 48 units and we requested support based on that submission. Right. Um, sorry. So, how many how many units did we approve back in 2025? I believe it was 24. Let me just confirm for you, Phil. Is that correct? 21. 21. I'm sorry. 21. So, we 21. Yes, sir. And you want to amend it, but to add to 37. So, not add 37, but a total of 37. Bring it to a total of 37. Total of 37.

And that's the total amount allowed under the zoning ordinance. Under the zoning ordinance, you need a certain square footage for each unit. So, the size of the parts, the size of the parcel dictates the amount of units you can actually place on a parcel. So, they were approved for 21. They're now asking for 37. And that's that's the that's the max that zoning would allow without having to go for variance. Well, I'm just saying that because if I'm not mistaken, he said that he's only increasing three units. I just want to be clear what we increasing. 21 to 37 is more than three. You're you're going from 21 units that you approved and now he's asking for a total of 37,

right? Just making a point here that, you know, I believe he said more than three. I don't want to beat at the horse, but uh it seemed to me like it was only only three units. It was more than three units. Um and what's the square footage on this on these apartments are going to be? They Sorry. Go ahead. Square footage of the parcel. No, no, the house or the apartments. Oh, I doubt it. You may have that. Yeah, you may have that through through the president. Um the new structure will uh so it's going to be three-story building.

Um there the first floor will contain eight studio units and four one-bedroom units. The second floor will now have six units studios, six studio units and six one-bedroom units. And the third story will now have eight studio units and five onebedrooms. And these range from $8.99 to 564. I understand. And so my final question, seeing that you're going from 21 to 37, what kind of adjustment did you make to your parking scheme? Uh, we did not make any adjustment. The original parking scheme was designed to accommodate the full number of units. So, so we have that. Yep. So, the site plan essentially has not changed. Okay. All right. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Appreciate it.

Councelor Delgado. Um, thank you, Madam President. Uh, I I had the same question on on parking. While I I know it says that you're allowed up to 37, I do see your your maximum number of bedrooms are are one bedroom, correct? Um, I'm just curious, you're not anticipating a lot of folks with two cars in those onebedrooms.

Uh, that's correct. So the the industry standards that we're anticipating for parking ratios are based on uh empirical knowledge and industry standard from the area. Um the proponents representatives are actually here this evening representing Hedgehog Industries. Um they have they operate own and operate a number of residential properties in the area. Um that was based on the parking requirements for the zoning um which we do meet um as well as their operational uh experience.

All right. I just know that that's a really busy corner and I I remember having this discussion with you guys uh before about the traffic flowing out. I think you guys have done a lot of work there. That that'd be my only concern is I mean it does say you have 51 spaces which is more than one per per unit. Um so just hoping there's not a lot of one bedroom with two, you know, two cars. Um and then how I guess how do you accommodate visitors and guests? Um, so is that part of the 51?

That is part of the 51. Um, and generally speaking, operationally as they're leasing these units, you know, communicating with the folks, letting them know, you know, what type of parking is available and not available is part of the operational uh continued operational success of the facility. All right. No further questions. Thank you. Thank you, counselor. Any other counselors? Again, any opposition? Seeing none, we will close this portion of the hearing. Any deliber del deliberation from counselors? Seeing none, madam clerk, please call the role.

On approval of the special permit, councelor Santelo, yes. Yes. Councelor Martin, yes. Yes. Councilors Perez, Brown, Govan, and Walsh absent. Councelor Hurst, yes. Yes. Councelor Davila. Of order. Point of order. Can you please recognize counselor in seat 4? Councelor Brown. Present and yes. Present and yes. Councelor Fenton. Yes. Yes. Councelor Delgado. Yes. Yes. Councelor Click Bruce. Yes. Yes. Councelor Edwards. Yes.

Yes. Councelor Woodfield. Yes. Special permit approves. Approved. Councelor Santinelo on the reasons. Reasons for granting the permit. The specific site is an appropriate location for each such a use, structure, or condition. The use as developed will not adversely affect the neighborhood. Am I Am I still on? Yeah, you're on. Okay. Adequate and appropriate facilities will be provided for the proper operation of the proposed use to incorporate the planning staff analysis into the decision at the basis of the findings. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Please call the role on the reasons. On the reasons, councelor Santelo,

yes. Yes. Councelor Martin. Yes. Yes. Councelor Perez absent. Councelor Brown. Yes. Yes. Councelor Govan and Councelor Walsh absent. Councelor Hurst. Yes. Yes. Councelor Davila. Yes. Yes. Councelor Fenton. Yes. Yes. Councelor Delgado. Yes. Yes. Councelor Click Bruce. Yes. Yes. Councelor Edwards. Yes. Yes. Councelor Whitfield. Yes. Reason is approved. Good luck. Thank you very much. Thank you. Madam clerk, please call the next item. The next item is 784 Bay Street amending conditions for auto repair. You have 20 minutes.

Yes. All right. Name and address for the record.

My name is Arhennis Ramos from 784 Bay Street, Springfield. I'm here to amend uh for a special permit to add that um because I'm selling used tires and I need to um jack kettle the cars and the lat and do the job inside the garage. And another thing that I have five containers in my lot that I have to move in because uh the city they don't want that I allow those container but I already uh signed a purchasing sales agreement for buy the property uh next to 784. So that's going to be 794 Bay Street that I'm already signed the purchase and sale for closing in December 29. So, I need time for moving the the container. That's what I need. Is there anyone else here to speak in favor of the petitioner? I repeat, anyone else here to speak in favor of the petitioner? Any questions from counselors to the petitioner? Seeing none, is there anyone here to speak in opposition? Seeing none, we will now anyone here any counselors to speak in opposition. Seeing none, we will close this portion of the hearing. Any deliberation from counselors? Council Dav. Thank you. I just have a quick question for Phil if I could.

Hey Phil. Um, yeah. Visit God today, Phil. Visit God today, aren't you? Uh, but we're moving, Phil. Um, this seems pretty straightforward to me. I just want to make sure that we are have all the docs in the row here. Um, seeing that he bought or has a purchasing agreement next door basically for the building. Uh, I don't see anything here that specifies that. I just I would hate for him to be cited because of the containers.

Well, he has been cited for the containers, but he's working to get those removed. So, I think the code has given him an opportunity that now that he's purchased the next store. He'll be able to store the tires in that particular building. He doesn't need a special permit to do that. When he when he expands his operation, he'd be back to include that property. But but so I he is, you know, I I I've worked with him directly. So, he is he is in the process of clearing. Sure. So, he's going to be okay until he purchases the location, he's not going to get fined. He's not going

Well, I mean, again, I' I've I've mentioned that he should be talking with Mike Jacob, who was the zoning guy, but I believe as long as he's in the process of of getting rid of them that, you know, the code the code will allow him to do this as well as amend the special permit for what he's requesting for for the work. So, he's he's kind of he's he's dealing with both of those items that he was cited for. Okay. Uh Okay. Thank you. Thank you, Phil. Any other questions, counselor? Just real quick, councelor Santelo. Yeah. Do you have tires for sale right now? Yes, I do. And where do you put those?

Uh right now I have one container for disposal, the old one. Okay. How many tires? And the one container for the disposal is um 100 tire 150 tires I can I can put in one container. So I have a company that I call and they come and pick it up. That's for the old ones the the disposal. I'm sorry I had closed the hearing. So this will be deliberation for the council. Okay. So when when it's open for the proponents to ask questions that's when we need to ask and for the opponent same thing. But during deliberation we're supposed to talk to each other. But he did answer, so I guess we're good. Thank you.

Okay. Thank you. Um cuz we cannot allow any new testimony once the hearing is closed. Sorry. Thank you. Um any other counselors? All right. Councelor Martin. No, thank you, Mr. Ramos, for uh for coming in and presenting uh the special permit. seem to bring a lot of enthusiasm. I think you'll do a great job and and seeing how it's u ripe for pothole season, I'm sure your tire business will be make a lot of uh lot of money. So, best of luck. Thank you.

Thank you, Councelor Martin. Any other counselors? Seeing none, Madam Clerk, please call the role on approval of the special permit. Councelor Santelo. Yes. Yes, councelor Martin. Yes. Yes. Councelor Perez absent. Councelor Brown. Yes. Yes. Councelor Govan and Walsh. Absent. Councelor Hurst. Yes. Yes. Councelor Davila. Yes. Yes. Councelor Fenton. Yes. Yes. Councelor Dogado. Yes. Yes. Councelor Click Bruce. Yes. Yes. Councelor Edwards. Yes. Yes. Councelor Woodfield.

Yes. Special permit approved. Councelor Santanelo. On the reasons. on the reasons the specific site is an appropriate location for such a use structure or condition. The use as developed will not adversely affect the neighborhood. Adequate and appropriate facilities will be provided for the proper operation of the proposed use to incorporate the planning staff analysis into the decision at the basis of the findings. Thank you madam clerk. Please call the role on the reasons. Councelor Santinelo. Absolutely. Yes. Yes. Councelor Martin, yes. Yes. Councelor Perez, absent. Councelor Brown,

yes. Yes. Councelor Govan and Walsh. Absent. Councelor Hurst. Yes. Yes. Councelor Davila? Yes. Yes. Councelor Fenton. Yes. Yes. Councelor Delgado. Yes. Yes. Councelor Click Bruce. Yes. Yes. Councelor Edwards. Yes. Yes. Councelor Whitfield. Yes. Reasons approved. Congratulations. Good luck. Thank you. You're welcome. Madame clerk, please call the next item on the agenda. Item number 12 is 1000 Hall of Fame way Dental Office.

20 minutes. Name and address for the record. Sarah Chow, Five Simons Terrace, Lello. Um here on with uh Rick Morse, JN Architects. Uh Kevin Morren Corook Realy and Leo Florian South Assisting Council testimony please tell us what you're going to do. Uh here to propose for construction of a dental office at 1000 Hall of Fame. A former space is placed to be uh approximately 6,000 square ft.

Anyone else here to speak on behalf of the petitioner? in favor of the petitioner.

Uh Leo Florian, president, Southoun Citizens Council. When we met um to go over this proposal, it was really amazing. He's really thinking outside the box. The number of services that he's looking to provide is incredible. He will service every every population here in the city of Springfield. And not only will this be good for the neighborhood, this will be good for the entire area. And if you get a chance to to, you know, to look at his proposal, it it's it's an amazing thing. And we just hope that you would look to support it. Thank you.

Thank you, Leo. I hope we looked at it. Um, anyone else here to speak on behalf of the petitioner? All right. Anyone here in opposition? Seeing none, counselors, any questions? Yes, councelor Santanelo.

Um, 6,000 square feet. That's big. How many dentists you going to have there? How many DAs are you going to have there? And, um, that's it. Thanks. Uh, I'm initially going to be doing a partial buildout. I'm going to This is from a ground zero startup. I'm not going in with any partners. Um, it's going to be me and probably a handful employees, no more than five to start. And hopefully as the business grows and I can serve more of the community, I can um I'm having a hope to get involved with some of the community colleges, some of the hygiene assisting programs, and um help shadow and recruit them in and expand that way. Um just a question uh through the chair. Um how do you plan on reaching out to people that can't really afford dental work or they're they're on marginal incomes? Are you providing for that too?

Yeah. So a large um reason behind this whole effort was um I I came from a whole bunch of larger practices. Some of them sold out to corporate structures. And one thing I saw that was consistent um was um there wasn't an address for underserved populations uh those on limited income uh disabled communities. the offices around these areas, they're very dated. Uh even though they're they're functional. Uh I don't think they serve adequately for the, you know, the disabled populations. And part of this effort and reasoning for this space is to provide something that's centrally located to the city and something that can accommodate um every patient population um limited income or not.

Thank you for the answer. And the last part of it is you're listed in most of the insurance carriers for dental insurance. Yes, I plan to take as many as possible um depending on the response to the city and um the location um basically just take it and expand hours, expand providers and just use it as an extractor for the city. Hopefully, uh, I plan to use the Hall of Fame, um, as a centralized location so that it's easy, convenient access for everyone, even people that may not be around the area. Thank you. I wish you well.

Thank you, councelor. Counselor Delgado, uh, I just had a clarifying question. Um, you said that you were going to be operating in a place to be, but the document here says the plan B burger. So, can you clarify that? Yeah. So, I believe that was a typo. mistake that was corrected. Huh? Two mistakes tonight. I Sorry, Phil. That's just a test if you're actually reading my analysis. So, I actually was looking at the plan on the opposite way. So, it it it was plan B, but now it's the place to be on the south side of the on the opposite end. Okay. Yeah.

All right. I I was gonna make a joke about, you know, Plan Burger and probably getting some clientele from the uh from the Cold Stone there, but um I'll leave that alone. I was going to call it Plan C. A plan C. No, I I wish you a lot of luck. Um you know, we've seen a lot of, you know, businesses come and go in that area and obviously this is a a different one. and the fact that you're trying to target a a specific uh demographic and the fact that you are trying to it sounds like there are a lot of these dental practices that are buying being bought out by corporate um entities. So the fact that you're trying to keep a independently own one I I commend you for that and uh also wish you as much luck. Thank you.

Thank you councelor Dava. Thank you madame uh president just uh uh Mr. Ch. Nice to meet you. What are your hours of operation going to be? Uh the hours of operation to start are probably going to be close to your normal 7:30 to 5. I am trying to survey the area particularly the businesses around the south end and see if I can accommodate for um working families. So extended hours into the evening uh hopefully weekend hours also. So that's going to be pretty much Monday to Sunday. Uh yes.

Okay. It's definitely a interesting concept. Interesting concept. And so I too wish you the best of luck. Um and uh can't wait to see what comes out of it. I wish you the best success. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you, counselor. Any other counselors have questions for the petitioner? All right. Seeing none, we'll close this portion of the hearing. Deliberation from counselors, councelor Mertin.

First, I want to thank the developer for for coming and and investing here in the city of Springfield. I also want to thank our civic association president for the south end, Leo Florian, for um sponsoring and advocating for this. He puts a lot of hard work into the south end. That's his that's his baby. And um if he believes it's good for the South End, then um then I do too. and I'd be happy to support that. So, best of luck in uh your endeavor. Thank you. Thank you, counselor. Any other counselors with comments? That's why Leo has a street named after him. All right. Madame Clerk, please call the role on approval of the special permit. Councelor Santinelo.

Yes. Yes. Councelor Martin. Yes. Yes. Councelor Perez absent. Councelor Brown. Yes. Yes. Councilors Govan and Walsh absent. Councelor Hurst. Yes. Yes. Councelor Davula. Yes. Yes. Councelor Fenton. Yes. Yes. Councelor Delgado. Yes. Yes. Councelor Click Bruce. Yes. Yes. Councelor Edwards. Yes. Yes. Councelor Whitfield. Yes. Special permit approved. Councelor Santanel. On the reasons.

Yes. The specific site is an appropriate location for such a use structure and condition. The use as developed will not adversely affect the neighborhood. Adequate and appropriate facilities will be provided for the proper operation of the proposed use to incorporate the planning staff analysis into the decision at the basis of the findings. Madame clerk, please call the role on the reasons. Councelor Santelo, yes. Yes. Councelor Martin. Yes. Yes. Councelor Perez absent. Councelor Brown. Yes. Yes. Councelor Govan and Walsh absent. Councelor Hurst. Yes. Yes. Councelor Davila. Yes. Yes. Councelor Fenton. Yes. Yes. Councelor Delgado.

Yes. Yes. Councelor Click Bruce. Yes. Yes. Councelor Edwards. Yes. Yes. Councelor Woodfield. Yes. Reasons approved. Congratulations and good luck. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Madam Clerk, are there any other items on the agenda? There are not. Meeting adjourned. Our next regular meeting is April 13. Thank you, counselors.