The Office of Planning & Economic Development's mission is to manage programs and provide services that fulfill the immediate needs and long-term vision for the physical, economic and environmental development of the city, such as:

• Permitting – Subdivisions, Site Plan Review, Special Permits
• Zoning and Land Use Inquires
• Comprehensive Planning - Master Plan, Urban Renewal Plans
• Brownfields clean-up
• Business promotion and incentives

By serving as the staff to following boards and committees, the Office of Planning & Economic Development is well equipped to assist in your development needs, whether subdividing a lot, or relocating your business to the City of Holyoke:

• Board of Appeals,
• Holyoke Economic Development and Industrial Corporation (HEDIC), 
• Planning Board,
• Holyoke Redevelopment Authority (HRA),
• Mayor’s Industrial Development Advisory Council (MIDAC), and
• Holyoke Innovation District Task Force (as co-chair).

Additional Resources

For more in-depth information about ongoing projects around the City, visit HolyokeRedevelopment.com

Also to stay informed on Holyoke's Planning and Development happenings, be sure to sign up for our Newsletter:

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Ordinances & Maps

The Office of Planning & Economic Development is the keeper of the Zoning Ordinance and Official Zoning Map and other Maps for the City. 

Plans and Projects

Find more information on plans and projects happening around the City. 

Applications

For a quick listing of all the Applications and documents from the Office of Planning & Economic Development, click here. 

Incentives

If you’re thinking about making an investment in your business but need help taking the risk, there may be incentives offered by the city based on the type and size of your investment.

Resources

Here are a number of external resources that you may find helpful for the various issues related to running a business.

Real Estate & Site Selection

If you are looking to relocate or expand your business within the City of Holyoke, there are various resources to help you find available property.

 There shall be established a board of appeals in accordance with the provisions of section 811 of chapter 211 of the Acts of 1936, to consist of three members and three associate members, to be appointed and confirmed in accordance with the provisions of such chapter.  The board of appeals shall also act as a board of appeals under both the building and zoning ordinances of the City.

Holyoke is experiencing a renaissance as a community of artists and creative entrepreneurs have embraced the city’s center as their home and workplace. Old mill buildings that sat idle as reminders of former industrial might have been repurposed to export intellectual products to regional, national and global markets. The list of creative industries in Holyoke has grown to include – graphic and video game designers, architects and restoration artists, advertising and marking professionals, writers and publishers, internationally touring dance troupes, photographers, musicians and film makers – to name just a few. The Office of Planning and Economic Development is dedicated to supporting the growth of creative industries in Holyoke and highlighting the city as a place for art, culture and innovation.

More information about Holyoke’s Creative Economy initiatives as well as links to resources and information can be found on the Creative Economy Support Page at holyokeredevelopment.com

Holyoke Economic Development and Industrial Corporation

The Holyoke Economic Development and Industrial Corporation (HEDIC) is chartered under Chapter 121C of the Massachusetts General Laws.  Projects are detailed in an Economic Development Plan which require approval of the Mayor and City Council.  HEDIC has the authority to buy and sell property, manage projects, approve financing and assist private developers.  HEDIC administers the Holyoke Industrial Development Loan Program to assist new and expanding companies meet their capital needs.  HEDIC is grantee of Foreign Trade Zone #201 which helps businesses realize import and export savings.   The HEDIC works in conjunction with the Office of Planning and Development to improve economic conditions in the City of Holyoke.

HOLYOKE PLANNING BOARD

The Holyoke Planning Board is responsible for protecting the health and safety of Holyoke residents while balancing the rights of property owners through the consideration of project submittals, public testimony, and city department comments in conjunction with the laws established for regulating such development through theZONING ORDINANCE Massachusetts General Law (MGL), Chapter 41, Section 81A, and MGL Chapter 40A. The establishment of municipal Planning Boards is authorized by Massachusetts General Law, chapter 41, section 81A. Among its many diverse roles, the Planning Board is charged with the following duties, paraphrased here from the Mass. General Law:

• Adopting a master plan and official map of the city
• Serving as the local authority for the Subdivision Control Act; adopting Rules and Regulations governing the subdivision of land in the City of Holyoke; reviewing all preliminary and definitive plan submittals.
• Serving, in some instances, as the Special Permit Granting Authority
• Serving as Site Plan Review Authority
• Conducting studies, and, when necessary, preparing plans of the resources, possibilities and needs of the city for submittal to the City Council for their consideration
• Drafting and submitting zoning amendments for consideration by the municipality. When a zoning amendment has been put forward, the Planning Board holds a public hearing jointly with the City Council Ordinance Committee and reports its recommendation to the City Council.

 Holyoke Redevelopment Authority

 The City of Holyoke is in the midst of a number of public and private initiatives intended to redevelop many parts of the downtown area and surrounding neighborhoods. To initiate and coordinate a comprehensive revitalization effort in this area, the City of Holyoke established the Holyoke Redevelopment Authority (HRA) in February 2008.  Chartered under Chapter 121B, the HRA has the powers to plan and implement activities needed to redevelop underutilized, deteriorated or blighted areas, to encourage new development, promote growth, create tax revenue, and create new jobs in the City of Holyoke.

The Holyoke License Board is the licensing and enforcement agent for liquor, common victualler, entertainment, open air vendors,  motor vehicle repair, and Innholders licenses. It is responsible for the issuing of licenses and enforcing the rules, regulations, local ordinances and state laws pertaining to the below mentioned licenses.

For detailed information about state laws, visit The Massachusetts Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission. This helpful website allows you to download forms and applications, learn about renewals, and more.

Below is a listing of the City of Holyoke’s fees and schedules: