​recommend modifications to the current Colvest Group plan for 1575 Northampton St.​

I am against the current plan, ugly building and horrible traffic plan.

At today's meeting, Colvest's rep stated that the plan is to quickly build the bank building right near the road and, at a later unspecified time, to build the building further back. Clearly the awful positioning of the bank building right on the street and with with its back to the street is simply to cut costs. It would be much more expensive to position the bank attractively near the back of the property. Is this what we want at that corner? I don't want to discourage Colvest in developing Holyoke, but this plan blows. Is is ugly and uninviting. They stated at today's meeting that they were interested in making it "attractive and inviting." This is neither! There should be no more than one curb cut to Easthampton Rd at the most western position possible for safety reasons, and the logical access to the site by trucks should come from Anniversary Rd. Not surprisingly, Colvest decided to not allow any access from Anniversary Rd because of cost -- another bad decision to save them a buck. I want them to be profitable, but what they build here we will be STUCK with. It makes SO much more aesthetic sense to position the bank AND retail space at the rear (western side) of the property. All the ugly dumpsters can then be positioned behind the buildings and the parking lot in front can be landscaped and green. Delivery truck patterns make MUCH more sense then too, with possibly two entrances from Anniversary Rd. Colvest says they want to make this attractive and inviting, so ask them to do so.

I have no doubt the Colvest Group's traffic plan will cause many accidents, and future fatalities, along Easthampton Road as vehicles exiting I-91 barrel into cars exiting the strip mall. The full impact of the traffic plan upon the operations and response times of Holyoke Fire Station #3 across the street probably cannot be accurately predicted. But we know delayed fire engines will result in additional loss of property and lives.

I have no doubt the Colvest Group's traffic plan will generate many future accidents, and probably some fatalities, along Easthampton Road as traffic barrels off I-91 into vehicles exiting the strip mall. The full impact upon operations and response times for Holyoke Fire Department Station #3 across the street probably cannot be predicted. But delaying fire engines will cause loss of life and property.

I do not agree proposed plan to allow multiple entrances / exits from that road way. It is already a nightmare getting off 91 and merging with traffic coming down the mountain. Please reconsider other options.

The proposal is not a safe design i do not agree at all. Please take the time for a new design.

Please do not allow this to pass. The traffic at that intersection is a nightmare already.

I support this petition. The developers have not made this area appealing. The current plan appears cramped and confusing.

I totally support this petition; we need to take necessary steps to make this safe and inviting for Holyoke

Thanks for organizing this citizen response to a badly conceived plan for an inappropriate reuse/misuse of the Lynch School project. (FYI Petition should read ‘poor visual effect’ not affect. Trust me: English professor)

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.

Let's develop this important site in a more sensible way!

Make sure the Planning Board hears you! Meeting: August 27, 5:30 (tomorrow), City Hall Annex Or send an email to: [email protected] (Attention: Planning Board)

There must be a way for the commercial interests and the residents to join together regarding the best plan for this important gateway area into our city. A strip mall with high-crime lights, introduced by a row of dumpsters, is such an insult to all of us - all of us - commercial and real estate taxpayers alike. Commercial space driven by community interests - not a pit-stop off the highway - is possible. Let's hold the Planning Board and the developers (Colvest Group) to high standards - not cheapen our city and degrade our property or personal values.

Susan Brouillette

I've recently visited Arbor Hills (mall) a small mall in Ann Arbor, MI. It did a great job of being green and maxing out the shopping space in tight quarters. The space in Holyoke would not be able to be as well designed for a mall. We can do better for this space.

I would rather see solar panels there, at least they would be producing energy and not jamming up the roads.

The first thing you'd see when entering Holyoke is dumpsters! This plan is NOT good.

No entrances or exits off Easthampton Road!

This proposal is unsafe