WESTFIELD – Rob Levesque of R. Levesque Associates came before the Westfield Planning Board June 2 for a partial closeout on the special permit for Planet Fitness at 93 Springfield Road.
City Planner Jay Vinskey said he visited the site, which is in conformity with the plans, apart from an additional ground sign. “It’s not really within your power to grant that. If there were to be a third ground sign, there would need to be a variance from the Zoning Board of Appeals,” he said.
Board member Jane Magarian asked if there were any explanation from the applicant as to how the third sign came about.
Levesque said he had a brief conversation with the owner, Nabil Hannoush before the meeting. His understanding was there was potential for that third sign, which he thought was grandfathered in due to an existing sign post. “We can coordinate with the Building Department,” Levesque said, adding that the gym was only open for a few days, then closed. “He’s been hurt really bad by COVID-19.”
Magarian said a pedestrian ramp was also supposed to be installed on the northeastern corner.
Levesque said there is more work to be done at the site, and asked if that could be pushed down the road, along with the crosswalk at the new traffic light that is currently under construction by MassDOT.
Magarian said the board could condition the ramp if needed for the flow of foot traffic. “I do have sympathies with what business owners are trying to deal with. I wouldn’t have a problem with conditioning it down the road if deemed necessary,” Magarian said.
“With the exception of the sign, it is one of the more compliant site plans. How does the board feel about that ground sign,” asked Vinskey.
“I’ve been by there, can’t really see making him take the sign down. My opinion,” Magarian said, to which other members agreed.
“If I’m hearing that this board is okay with the sign as a minor revision, then I can send it to the Building Department for additional permits or approvals,” Vinskey said, before the Planning Board approved the partial closeout.
Planet Fitness is a brand new facility that relocated from Mainline Drive just before the COVID-19 pandemic. It was closed following Gov. Charlie Baker’s orders. Fitness centers are slated to reopen in the third phase of Baker’s reopening plan.
