Hatfield planner approve 35-room hotel for Route 5

By SCOTT MERZBACH

Staff Writer

Published: 06-19-2023 12:16 PM

HATFIELD — A boutique hotel to be constructed on Route 5 in West Hatfield will not be allowed to have guests stay for extended periods.

The Planning Board approved plans at its June 7 meeting for the three-story, 35-room hotel at 16 West St. that will be run by Kirit Patel, principal of Shield Hotels, which operates seven other hotels in the region.

The approval of special permit limits the hotel’s service to tourists and visitors by prohibiting longer-term occupants. Planning Board Chairwoman Stephanie Slysz said the condition means that anyone staying there can’t make it a primary residence for any length of time.

Jeff Squire of Berkshire Design Group, who has been consulting on the project, said this was acceptable.

“I know the intention is not to make it an extended-stay hotel,” Squire said.

Additional landscaping in front of the hotel and screening of the 10 storage units to be built on either side of the hotel were elements of the plans also approved.

Meanwhile, a plan to bring additional storage units to the property at 12-18 Elm St. remain under discussion.

Six storage units are planned in a phased approach at the preexisting nonconforming property. The project will return for discussion Aug. 2.

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The project has raised concerns from those who live nearby about more hardscape being put down, and more traffic.

Both Scott Phaneuf and Lexi Peacock told planners that there are drainage issues and water runoff from the storage units already on site.

Carol Benson of Elm Street was among those who questioned how many more vehicles would come to the property.

“My concern is if this happens, there’s going to be so much traffic day and night, going in and around,” Benson said.

As part of the proposal, the lot at 18 Elm St., on which a house sits, would be being separated from the industrial-zoned land.

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