WESTFIELD – Indian Motorcycle of Springfield owner Dennis Bolduc and Rob Levesque of R. Levesque Assoc. came before the Planning Board on Tuesday for a site plan and special permit to consolidate Bolduc’s retail sales business, currently at 962 Southampton road in Westfield into a new building on the site of his maintenance facility at 1120 Southampton Road. Bolduc said he plans to demolish the existing building, an old red brick factory building, and construct a 17,000 sq. ft. commercial building which will include a retail and museum space, lounge and coffee shop in the front; and maintenance in the rear.
Bolduc said one of the reasons for the move is to have a larger space and a home base for events, such as bike rides. He said there will be 61 parking spaces at the facility. He said he also has raffled off motorcycles to raise money for the Holyoke Soldiers Home, this year raising $43,000, and also held a free barbeque for veterans on Veterans Day. “I’m a veteran myself,” Bolduc said.
Bolduc said the new metal building will have a brick look to replicate the old factory building, and will have the Indian logo on the front. He said he has museum pieces that will be on display there.
“We want to make it a true destination,” Bolduc said, adding that they have people that come now from all over the world.
The lot at 1120 Southampton Road is in a wetland resource area. Levesque said the planned construction has a 50 foot buffer from the wetlands protection area, and the wooded area behind that will remain existing vegetation. He said there will be 35% additional clearing of the lot before the buffer.
Ward 1 Councilor Mary Ann Babinski came forward during the public hearing due to questions from residents in her ward about the proposed expansion, she said. Babinski said the building is not on the Barnes Aquifer, but very close to the tip of Zone 2, and close to the Arm Brook. She said the far back tip of the property does go into the aquifer.
“I have no problem with this project. My job is to remind people of this project’s closeness to the aquifer,” Babinski said.
The public hearing was continued until Dec. 4, in order to satisfy several minor stormwater condition from the Engineering Department, and to complete the review by the Conservation Committee.
“I will state I am excited about Indian Motorcycles putting this up,” said Planning Board chairman William Carellas.
