HATFIELD — Residents at May’s Town Meeting will likely have a chance to weigh in on several rezoning proposals aimed at increasing the possible commercial uses of properties on and near Route 5, including a pickleball complex, a dog kennel and relocation of a landscaping business.

At a recent public hearing, the Planning Board unanimously voted to support a zoning change that will allow recreational uses on all light industrial zoned land, which would accommodate a proposal for the private pickleball complex planned for 121 West St.

The favorable vote comes after the board in January approved also changing to commercial uses the rural residential zoning on parcels at 6 and 12 Church Ave., a short street off Route 5 in West Hatfield that dead ends at Interstate 91.

But the board is making a neutral recommendation to Town Meeting on the proposal from Gregory Omasta of 123 North Hatfield Road, who is seeking to have about 10 acres of rural residential road frontage at 127, 129 and 131 North Hatfield Road changed to light industrial. Such a change, he said, would allow him to relocate his landscaping business from Hadley. Town Meeting narrowly rejected a zone change for these parcels two years ago.

“We would still like to bring our business to Hatfield and bring that tax revenue to Hatfield,” Omasta said.

He said the building would fit into the neighborhood and be under 10,000 square feet. Omasta said he is crammed for space at his location in Hadley and has no room for future growth.

The 13 North Hatfield Road lot was previously rezoned, while the rezoning of the front halves of the three affected lots lost by four votes of reaching a two-thirds majority in 2021.

All are building lots for single-family, but Omasta said he would have trouble selling them, as Hatfield Farmacy LLC, a marijuana cultivator, is using a portion of 38 acres across the street at 139 North Hatfield Road.

Planning Board Chairwoman Stephanie Slysz said she would like to see a more holistic approach for rezoning beyond those three parcels.

Kim Baker of 96 North Hatfield Road said she continues to oppose the rezoning and the town needs to first complete its master plan. Baker said she worries that the rezoning will lead to significant projects out of proportion with the residential neighborhood.

“This sort of building belongs out on Route 5,” Baker said. She also said Omasta has not cleaned up the front of the properties as had been promised.

“I am conflicted on this one,” said Planning Board member David Leon Bell Jr. adding that the proposal is “too gray.” Slysz said the master plan may not be brought for a town vote until 2025.

Planning Board member Jimmy Tarr said he would agree to a neutral recommendation, though is not as opposed to the rezoning as he had been two years ago.

The last rezoning is changing the parcels at 108 and 104 West St. to light industrial.

The proposal comes from Jeffrey Bruscoe, who owns the 108 West St. parcel, and Terry Sprecker, who owns the 104 West St. parcel.

Bruscoe told planners he is seeking the change to accommodate a dog kennel and a cafe that would be brought to the site.

The Planning Board is also neutral on this as the plans for the properties have not been well fleshed out.

Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.]]>