The Westfield Planning Board discussed last night a special permit for the Country Court Motel to be converted into efficiency apartments. (Photo by Frederick Gore) .
WESTFIELD – The Planning Board voted to continue the public hearing on a proposal to convert a former Southampton Road motel into efficiency apartments when other property owners raised a number of concerns and questions.
Rui Baltazar submitted a special permit application to convert the motel at 480 Southampton Road into a 14-unit efficiency apartment complex. Typically, conversion petitions only involve the Planning Board’s review of the parking requirement of two spaces per unit.
The motel has not be in operation for five years but the questions and concerns raised during the public hearing last night may initiate a more detailed review of the project. Principal Planner Jay Vinskey said the board has the authority to require a detailed site plan for the conversion project.
Speakers raised concerns about population density if the small efficiency apartments are rented by couples with children and said the project may have a negative impact on the surrounding neighborhood.
“How many people will there be in each unit?” Tina Stevens, who owns the abutting property to the south of the motel, asked. “Will couples, children or pets be allowed? Those are very tiny units that don’t have the space to accommodate many people.”
Bob Goyette, owner of the nearby Heritage Homes Inc., questioned if the septic system in place for the motel is sufficient to accommodate the daily use of residents at the 14-apartment complex.
“I ask the board to continue this hearing and ask for a formal plan. This chicken scratch is too challenging to know what’s going on,” Goyette said. “This is a detriment to the area. Efficiency apartments are not conducive. Ask for a plan or vote against it.”
Other speakers question if the motel rooms meet the criterion of an efficiency apartment since they are not equipped with a kitchen.
Wayne Weatherwax, a resident of Hopkins Road, said he is concerned about the impact of the conversion on the neighborhood directly behind the former motel.
“You need to disapprove this until (Baltazar) comes back with a concrete plan,” he said.
Several members of the board said that a “more defined plan” is needed to allow review of the special permit application and that the board needs information from the Health and Building departments on the definition and requirements needed for the conversion into efficiency apartments. The hearing was continued to March 18.
