Development and Governmental Relations Committee Meeting April 22, 2024

*Posted April 18, 2024, 4:00 PM

City Council
Holyoke Massachusetts
Pursuant to the Massachusetts Open Meeting Law, G.L. c. 30A, §§ 18-25,
and Chapter 2 of the Acts of 2023,
notice is hereby given of a meeting of the committee on
Development and Governmental Relations (DGR)

Monday, April 22, 2024
6:30 PM
Meeting to take place at
Holyoke City Hall, 536 Dwight St
and can be accessed remotely on Zoom Meetings

Per order of the Chair: Kocayne Givner
Remote access via www.zoom.us
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81675395534?pwd=TXdhYVhLVnRqbDJXNG5FbjN0WUxWZz09
Meeting ID: 816 7539 5534 Meeting Passcode: 315704 or by call in at 1 (646) 558-8656 with
the same Meeting ID and Passcode.

Live Spanish interpretation will be available on local access channel 15 using the television’s SAP option, through the live stream on the city website, as well as on the Zoom feed by clicking the interpretation option and choosing Spanish.

Agenda

Item 1: Minutes of March 12, 2024 meeting

Item 2: PUBLIC HEARING 3-6-24 Special permit application for a home occupation at 42 Arnodale Ave (124-00-077) for a driveway sealcoating business (Homeowner: Dylan Bradford, business owner: Florin Muradian)

Item 3: PUBLIC HEARING 3-19-24 Special permit application of Hasan Kuruca at 263 Hampden Street (006-04-013) for an outdoor vehicle sales lot.

Item 4: PUBLIC HEARING 6-6-23 Special Permit Application of Salmar Realty LLC c/o Peter Martins for a special permit for a Proposed Coffee shop/Drive Thru Restaurant at South Street Plaza, A Portion of 209 South St.
*Continued from 7-12-23, 8-23-23, 9-25-23, 11-20-23, 12-18-23, 1-29-24, 2-27-24

Item 5: 3-6-24 Givner- Ordered, that the Honorable City Council accept the revised proposal for 689 Main Street (Assessors Map 055, Block 00, Parcel 009) as described in the letter (attached) previously submitted as a communication to the City Council.

Item 6: 2-20-24 Bartley- Ordered, that the City Council approve an Amendment to a Home Rule Petition for the purpose of expanding the Center City Liquor License Area.

Item 7: 2-6-24 Givner- Ordered, that the City Council approve the Resolution for the Certified Housing Development Incentive Program Project including a Local Tax Increment Exemption (TIE) Agreement with Open Square Properties, LLC for the new downtown market rate housing development at 4 Open Square Way (Assessors Map  022, Block 01, Parcel 003).

Item 8: 3-6-24 Murphy-Romboletti- Ordered, that Ordered that the City Council sign and support the attached amended Resolution to create a state-authorized cultural district for at least (10) years to be named the Puerto Rican Cultural District.

LAID ON THE TABLE:
Discussion unlikely to take place

Item 9: 9-5-23 JOURDAIN — City Council explore with the Mayor a residential redevelopment plan for city owned vacant parcels has homes built then sold.  City funds coupled with any available grant funding will be used for seed funding with the proceeds of the sales used to build more homes.  The long term play for the city is the generation of all of the property tax revenue from these home sales, the new availability of great new housing, the reduction in city owned buildable lots and the growth of population.
*Tabled 2-27-24

Item 10: 9-5-23 JOURDAIN — Law Dept and Mayor be invited to the City Council to discuss an update on the city’s use of the receivership program including current properties being targeted and others that are excellent prospects for required repairs.  I also would like to see if we can use this for larger scale problem rental properties with the right receiver as has been done in larger metropolitan cities.  I also would like to start an initiative as has been used in large urban settings where we have required landlord training programs when appropriate as well as a model like Kansas City Bad Apple Program for repeat offenders.  Law dept. and Mayor will be encouraged to look at what resources we need to go bold on problem properties and develop a plan with us.
*Tabled 1-29-24

Item 11: 12-5-23 MURPHY-ROMBOLETTI — An order to declare Parcel Holyoke Assessors Map 212, Block 00, Parcel 001, Easthampton Road, Holyoke, MA as surplus property and sell to the Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game with an address of 100 Cambridge Street, Suite 620, Boston, MA 02114 for $270,000.00.
*Tabled 12-18-23

Item 12: 8-1-23 BARTLEY — HPD and MA DOT work to promote a pedestrian safety plan for the employees contracted to work at the Soldiers’ Home.  MA DOT expects to have up to 300 employees working on site for the next three years.  The employees are scheduled to park at Lot Q at H.C.C. during that time.  Refer to HPD, MA DOT District 2 and the Development and Governmental Relations Committee for a follow-up.
*Tabled 9-25-23

Administrative Assistant: Jeffery Anderson-Burgos
The listing of matters are those reasonably anticipated by the chair which may be discussed at the meeting. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by law. Also one or two items may require the committee to enter into executive session at this meeting. Agenda subject to change up to two business days (48 hours) prior to posted meeting time.