The Planning Board finally rejected the current Colvest Group plan. It has been a long and exhausting road but we secured the changes we needed to keep our streets safe. I will be keeping a close eye on their next submission to ensure they actually stick to these new requirements.
January 22, 2020
recommend modifications to the current Colvest Group plan for 1575 Northampton St.
Final supporters
We ask that the Planning Board recommend modifications to the current Colvest Group plan for 1575 Northampton St. The current plan presents potentially dangerous traffic interactions between vehicles leaving the site and those traveling on adjacent public roadways.
The plan proposes too many cut-throughs (exits and entrances) for motor vehicles in a short, congested space leading into heavily trafficked roadways and crossing pedestrian walkways and demarcated bike paths. In addition, the current plan proposes an
inordinately high ratio between parking lot space and building space. Excessively large parking areas, especially those with unimpeded access by pedestrians and lacking monitored security cameras are a known crime inducing security risk for persons and property.
These security and safety concerns are supplemented by a poor visual affect created by the following: a vast sea of asphalt in relation to relatively small structures; the presentation of garbage dumpsters as the first sight for any motorists coming down the Easthampton
Road approach; and blindingly powerful lighting that is being offered as a partial attempt to offset the security difficulties presented by the overly large, unattended parking lot. Finally, we ask that the Planning Board not automatically recommend the issuance of special
permits for the two principal structures until there is some better understanding of what types of businesses will be occupying the main retail structure thereby giving a better indication of the suitability of the structure for the business.
Updates
November 25, 2019
Seeing this kind of traction is heavy because it proves how many of us see the danger in this plan. I am exhausted by the pushback we face but this recent surge of interest makes me certain we are right to keep fighting.
Reached 100 supporters
November 25, 2019
52 Comments
I am firmly opposed to the plans to turn Lynch School into a bank, and strip mall. I feel the area, and our tax base would be better served with either housing for young professionals, or the elderly, or as a new school. Please do not allow this to happen. Thank you, Kelley Rathman Holyoke
That's an insane amount of exits and entrances located off an already busy exit ramp, not to mention the pathetic distance between each curb cut. Also, why Colvest would choose to display a row of dumpsters next to the entry to welcome guests to the property is beyond me. I guess the Rite Aid Plaza confirms aesthetics are not a high priority.
I support this petition. I live close to Lynch School and can attest to the fact that the traffic in this area is already terrible. With Walgreens, Nick’s Nest and Dunkin’ Donuts at the bottom of my street I often have to take a right even though I want to go left and then backtrack. Colvest’s Plan would exacerbate the traffic issues on Route 5. I’m totally opposed to their plan.
If Colvest's Rite Aid Plaza is representative of their commitment to the neighborhood, I have zero trust in their design plans being thoughtfully constructed or environmentally friendly.
Just focusing on the rt 141 side entering or exiting at heavy traffic times will be dicey at best. The speed at which cars fly down the hill is a catastrophe waiting to happen. Let's hope that someone has a brilliant plan to ameliorate this issue.
Thank you for caring enough about the important issues.
Lynch School should be saved. I’ve seen brilliant examples of reuse projects that have transformed old schools into thriving cultural and economic centers and strongly feel the same can be achieved with Lynch School. A boutique hotel, Thornes Market type of pop up, conference center and meeting place, indoor gym for kids, are all compatible uses that could preserve this handsome building’s architecture. Knocking it down for surface level parking and a couple of box stores would be a shame. Please reject the developers plan on adding another pharmacy. CVS has some of the highest prices around, offers no healthy food, and we have a Walgreens already and across the street.
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The Planning Board finally rejected the current Colvest Group plan. It has been a long and exhausting road but we secured the changes we needed to keep our streets safe. I will be keeping a close eye on their next submission to ensure they actually stick to these new requirements.
January 22, 2020
recommend modifications to the current Colvest Group plan for 1575 Northampton St.
Final supporters
We ask that the Planning Board recommend modifications to the current Colvest Group plan for 1575 Northampton St. The current plan presents potentially dangerous traffic interactions between vehicles leaving the site and those traveling on adjacent public roadways.
The plan proposes too many cut-throughs (exits and entrances) for motor vehicles in a short, congested space leading into heavily trafficked roadways and crossing pedestrian walkways and demarcated bike paths. In addition, the current plan proposes an
inordinately high ratio between parking lot space and building space. Excessively large parking areas, especially those with unimpeded access by pedestrians and lacking monitored security cameras are a known crime inducing security risk for persons and property.
These security and safety concerns are supplemented by a poor visual affect created by the following: a vast sea of asphalt in relation to relatively small structures; the presentation of garbage dumpsters as the first sight for any motorists coming down the Easthampton
Road approach; and blindingly powerful lighting that is being offered as a partial attempt to offset the security difficulties presented by the overly large, unattended parking lot. Finally, we ask that the Planning Board not automatically recommend the issuance of special
permits for the two principal structures until there is some better understanding of what types of businesses will be occupying the main retail structure thereby giving a better indication of the suitability of the structure for the business.
Updates
November 25, 2019
Seeing this kind of traction is heavy because it proves how many of us see the danger in this plan. I am exhausted by the pushback we face but this recent surge of interest makes me certain we are right to keep fighting.
Reached 100 supporters
November 25, 2019
52 Comments
Please consider developing this spot in a more community friendly way. We do not need more retail space, as evidenced by the lack of use of the Rite Aid plaza and the Kmart Plaza. We need parks, locally owned restaurants or bakeries, and affordable housing. Never goes there, there should be a far better plan with aesthetic considerations as well as less asphalt and more green space.
I am firmly opposed to the plans to turn Lynch School into a bank, and strip mall. I feel the area, and our tax base would be better served with either housing for young professionals, or the elderly, or as a new school. Please do not allow this to happen. Thank you, Kelley Rathman Holyoke
That's an insane amount of exits and entrances located off an already busy exit ramp, not to mention the pathetic distance between each curb cut. Also, why Colvest would choose to display a row of dumpsters next to the entry to welcome guests to the property is beyond me. I guess the Rite Aid Plaza confirms aesthetics are not a high priority.
I support this petition. I live close to Lynch School and can attest to the fact that the traffic in this area is already terrible. With Walgreens, Nick’s Nest and Dunkin’ Donuts at the bottom of my street I often have to take a right even though I want to go left and then backtrack. Colvest’s Plan would exacerbate the traffic issues on Route 5. I’m totally opposed to their plan.
If Colvest's Rite Aid Plaza is representative of their commitment to the neighborhood, I have zero trust in their design plans being thoughtfully constructed or environmentally friendly.
Just focusing on the rt 141 side entering or exiting at heavy traffic times will be dicey at best. The speed at which cars fly down the hill is a catastrophe waiting to happen. Let's hope that someone has a brilliant plan to ameliorate this issue.
Thank you for caring enough about the important issues.
Lynch School should be saved. I’ve seen brilliant examples of reuse projects that have transformed old schools into thriving cultural and economic centers and strongly feel the same can be achieved with Lynch School. A boutique hotel, Thornes Market type of pop up, conference center and meeting place, indoor gym for kids, are all compatible uses that could preserve this handsome building’s architecture. Knocking it down for surface level parking and a couple of box stores would be a shame. Please reject the developers plan on adding another pharmacy. CVS has some of the highest prices around, offers no healthy food, and we have a Walgreens already and across the street.
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Please consider developing this spot in a more community friendly way. We do not need more retail space, as evidenced by the lack of use of the Rite Aid plaza and the Kmart Plaza. We need parks, locally owned restaurants or bakeries, and affordable housing. Never goes there, there should be a far better plan with aesthetic considerations as well as less asphalt and more green space.