Michael Smith shows plans for an expansion of TRE Olive to the Planning Board.
Reminder Publishing photo by Sarah Heinonen
EAST LONGMEADOW — Two proposed construction projects came before the East Longmeadow Planning Board on Oct 21, one for a warehouse addition and another for a brand-new commercial building on Shaker Road.
Rob Levesque of R Levesque Associates presented the board with plans to demolish an existing house at 95 Shaker Road and build a 1,480-square-foot, two-story building.
A commercial financial institution has been identified as a tenant for the building’s first floor. Levesque said the second floor is being built on speculation, with no tenant yet selected.
Planning and Community Development Director Rob Watchilla said the petitioner was seeking a waiver for the number of parking spaces required. Instead of the 58 spaces required under the bylaw for a building of that size, Graham sought to limit it to 38. He said the financial institution had a maximum of 12 employees and most of them worked remotely. Levesque added that the tenant’s customers are businesses, and there would not be much foot traffic at the building.
Petitioner Steve Graham also owns the property at the rear of the site and was asked why more parking spaces could not be added there. Levesque explained that Graham plans to build housing on that land once the town adopts the center town district bylaw it is crafting.
“If the land is there, the land is there,” said Planning Board member Peter Punderson. He expressed concern that other petitioners would expect the board to waive the parking space requirement. Planning Board member William Fonseca reminded him that waivers are granted on a case-by-case basis.
“It’s only 18 feet of property,” Punderson maintained. Levesque said it would mean four fewer housing units.
Planning Board Chair Russell Denver asked what would happen if a different tenant who needed more parking wanted to occupy the space in the future. Watchilla noted that tenants must obtain a business license, and the location would be flagged during that process. He also said there is a process the petitioner can undertake if more spaces must be added.
During the public hearing, John Flynn, who owns the abutter, Hampden Engineering Corporation, spoke in favor of the project.
While deliberating on the matter, Fonseca said he was comfortable with the parking waiver because any tenant would need approval before occupancy. The other board members agreed, and the project was approved.
The building set for demolition is currently home to The Living Room, a home decor and gift shop. Graham said the business would need to vacate the property. He planned to break ground on the foundation in the late fall, with construction to continue in spring 2026.
The other item on the meeting agenda was a special permit to build a 1,575-square-foot addition to the nonconforming building that houses TRE Olive, 180 Shaker Road. Owner Michael Maruca said the space was needed for storage. After Watchilla suggested the board require updated plans marking the site’s trash receptacle location and screening, the special permit was approved.
