Ordinance Committee Meeting February 28, 2024
6:30 pm City Hall Holyoke
536 Dwight St, Holyoke 01040
Posted February 23, 2024, 2:35 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
Ordinance
Wednesday, February 28, 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 Ordinance Chair: Israel Rivera
Remote access via www.zoom.us
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85073009829?pwd=RFJ1NnZaZFNVUVVtL2FONCs0S3hHZz09
Meeting ID 850 7300 9829 Meeting Passcode: 714015 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 February 7, 2024 meeting.
Item 2: PUBLIC HEARING 1-22-24 — Special permit application extension ACMJ Inc to build and operate a marijuana cultivation and processing establishment at 532 Main St (026-03-012)
Item 3: PUBLIC HEARING 12-19-23 MALDONADO VELEZ — Zoning ordinance change proposal to allow cannabis businesses beyond the IG zone and allow priority for social equity applicants and those negatively impacted by war on drugs.
Item 4: 12-5-23 MURPHY-ROMBOLETTI, JOURDAIN, I. RIVERA — Ordered, that the position of Crime Analyst be created and added to Ordinance Schedule A.
*Tabled 2-7-24
Item 5: 2-6-24 OCASIO — Ordered, That a handicap sign be placed in front of 799 High St. for Francisco Rivera Chevere, Placard# PL 1770918, Exp: 04/16/24.
Legally expired zoning orders on agenda for disposal. Discussion will not take place.
Item 6: 3-21-23 TALLMAN, MCGEE — Ordered, that an ordinance be created to allow wind turbines for residential use. See attached model type rules.
Item 7: 1-3-23 BARTLEY — Ordered, A zone change to Holyoke’s marijuana ordinance be adopted to extend the time from two to three years that a special permit so granted may exist until it lapses. See OPED letter dated 11/3/22 for background and rationale. The city council would thus adopt MGL Chapter 40A language that allows municipalities to extend permits from two to three years.
Item 8: 10-4-22 GIVNER — Order that Zoning Ordinance 4.4.6 “Location of Accessory Structures” be updated to align with zoning in our neighboring municipalities in an effort to allow more flexibility on residential lots. -Send to Ordinance and request Building Commissioner study be shared with all City Council members.
Item 9: 8-2-22 GIVNER — Ordered, Order to amend the Holyoke Zoning Ordinance to reflect the following: (54) a zone change to BG for the parcels 091-00-062 & 091-00-063 (a future SP condition item could be, to join both parcels by ANR).
Item 10: 8-2-22 GIVNER — Ordered, Order to amend the Holyoke Zoning Ordinance to reflect the following: (2) Section 7.2.13, amend text by adding the BG zone to the others currently listed (BH, IG, BE).
Item 11: 8-2-22 GIVNER — Ordered, Order to amend the Holyoke Zoning Ordinance to reflect the following: (1) Sec 4.3, amend table to allow Motor Vehicle Sales (use) in BG by Special Permit (CC).
Item 12: 8-2-22 GIVNER — Order to amend the Holyoke Zoning Ordinance to reflect the following: (3) Create a new Special Permit for allowing the non-conforming use in a historic structure in BG zone.
Item 13: 6-21-22 MCGEE — Ordered, that the City Council review Section 7.10, Marijuana Facilities, to ensure that the review process is business sensible and that the review process for obtaining the Special Permit is being adhered to by Ordinance; amendments to this Section may be proposed and approved as part of this discussion.
Item 14: 6-21-22 MALDONADO VELEZ, GIVNER — Ordered that the City Council add a Section for Battery Storage Facilities to the Zoning Ordinance (Section TBD) to reflect technology advancements and future need for such installations; new facilities will be reviewed through Section 10.0, Major Site Plan Review.
***This one was actually an earlier file of the same order worked on last year and adopted***
Item 15: 6-21-22 MCGEE — that the City Council review Section 5.3, Special Permit to Exceed Height Limitation, in order to allow increased building height for all uses and additional zoning districts. Ensuring the allowable height may be increased by Planning Board Special Permit and in conjunction with those projects meeting the applicability of Section 10.1.2, Major Site Plan Review.
Item 16: 6-21-22 GIVNER — that the City Council review Section 6.4, Signs, in its entirety in order to make changes to the existing Ordinance to further refine and streamline the signage regulations.
Item 17: 5-3-22 MALDONADO VELEZ — Ordered, Order that we create an ordinance to allow backyard hens in residential zones.
Item 18: 2-15-22 GIVNER — Ordered, That the city revisit previous legal language to create an ordinance allowing backyard chickens in residential areas in an effort to enhance food equity.
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.