WESTFIELD – The Conservation Commission will conduct a public hearing tonight on a proposal to convert the former Balise dealership into a retail complex. The commission is acting under its authority to review all projects proposed in a flood plain or within 200 feet of a stream or river.
The applicants, Julie and Nabil Hannoush of 170 Munger Hill Road, are seeking permits from the Planning Board and City Council, as well as the Conservation Commission to renovate the existing 26,450-square foot building and to construct an additional 32,480 square feet of retail space on the 11.36-acre site at 99 Springfield Road.
The proposal is to convert the existing building to “accommodate a gym, indoor batting cages, a bar and other retail areas.” The property is zoned for Business B use and the surrounding properties are all commercial, a combination of office buildings and retail facilities.
The Planning Board has slated a March 18, 2014 public hearing to review the site plan and stormwater management plan for the proposed renovation and commercial development.
The City Council has yet to set a date for its public hearing on a special permit to allow use of the facility as “a club or other places of amusement or assembly.” Typically the City Council waits for the Planning Board to makes its decision to approve or deny applications and to attach finding and conditions to that decision which the council will review for its special permit decision.
The property, a section of the former Adams Tree Nursery, is located in a flood plain of the Westfield River, which will be reviewed by the Conservation Commission tonight under a Notice of Intent. The proposal is to remove soil from the current site for compensatory storage of floodwater “to offset floodplain impacts” resulting from the proposed construction’ of three new retail buildings.
The three new retail buildings will be 12,900-square feet, 9,000-square feet and 10,800-square feet. The former Balise property is located just to the west of the Walmart store.
The project also includes improvements to the existing stormwater management plan, a landscaping plan and reconfiguration of parking facilities and vehicular circulation areas.
The documents submitted to the city include a deed, dated Nov. 8, 2013, indicating that the former Balise Automotive Realty Limited Partnership of West S0pringfield sold the land for $2.1 million to N&J LLC of 609 East Main Street, Westfield.
Hannoush, who owns business in Agawam and Expert Fitness in Westfield, will use the renovated building to consolidate his business interests.
The Conservation Commission may also opt for the Planning Board to complete its review of the proposed stormwater management plan before rendering a decision.
