Martha Terry: ‘No need’ for zoning change in South Hadley

I am writing to alert the citizens of South Hadley to a public hearing on March 13, at 6:30 p.m., in front of the Planning Board, regarding the request by Robert Bolduc to change the zoning at the northeast corner of Routes 202 and 33 from current Residential A-1 to Business A. A link to the virtual meeting can be found here: https://bit.ly/41UD2OW. If you cannot attend the hearing, please send your comments and concerns to the Planning Board at the following email address: acapra@southhadleyma.gov.

A study, funded by a grant, also known as as taxpayer money, of the Routes 202 and 33 corridor was completed in January 2022, after two years of professional study, public meetings, surveys, and input from citizens of South Hadley (https://bit.ly/3l2ZTaq). On page 41 of the study, the proposed zone change for that corner is from Residential A-1 to Low Density Mixed Use, not to Business A as the applicant states in his letter to the Planning Board. The applicant proposes a Starbucks business and two professional buildings with the zone change to Business A. However, under the current Residential A-1 zoning, he may have several professional business buildings, each with some allowed retail. The applicant also has the option to build residences under the current zoning on the site. Those residences may also house home occupations. The applicant therefore, under the current zoning, has many options for different types of “soft” businesses or for residences.

There is no need for a zoning change. The town is under no obligation to grant the applicant a zoning change request so that he may maximize profits. Citizens need to be aware that a zoning change is permanent. Once it is given, the applicant has free reign to develop the site as he wishes. The applicant may develop the site as he proposes in an application or build something totally different. Or the property can be sold, with its enhanced value, to someone else.

I ask citizens to contact the Planning Board or to attend the hearing to urge the board not to support this requested zoning amendment. This is a premature request. The Planning Board will soon take up creating the criteria for the Low Density Mixed Use category for this parcel, which will allow mixed use, meaning that the applicant may build a Starbucks and other shops or professional buildings, and apartments may be built over these businesses. This is a win-win for businesses and housing, both very needed in this town. So, please either by attending the Zoom hearing or writing to the Planning Board, let your elected officials know that the applicant has many, many options with the current zoning, and will have expanded options, including a Starbucks, if he waits for the Planning Board to create the new Low Density Mixed Use zoning category.

Martha Terry

South Hadley

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