[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6232865,"mediaKeyId","3425696-757ec923d17706cedf117ba893e930b0","parentId",3425696,"title","Resident raises parking obstruction and liquor‑store concerns; commission points caller to city law and council","audioSeconds",574,"startMs",4907000,"endMs",5481000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3425696-757ec923d17706cedf117ba893e930b0&start=4907&end=5481","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3425696-757ec923d17706cedf117ba893e930b0/thumbnail_4907000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6232865/Springfield-City/Hampden-County/Massachusetts/Resident-raises-parking-obstruction-and-liquorstore-concerns-commission-points-caller-to-city-law-and-council","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6232865-34e97143ef4b1d559d60bc45ce7a7147/orig.mp4?Expires=1771218752&Signature=Jl6-8-OrKzASCu4bKMqMRYYBDs8Lmqx1-1hkszz3n26desjOJa1cptEeXvtGjINrajXlxjWXwHRzfIITvi-R~9CT33kSn~TUkVugEdS-8GtV9skc6O3HBvmR1pu2Xwku0yDbquXwb1AaDGU9YTgm2cXCV817BCqib8Eezo5lFEVXOVOEarxKU7XlsHIFCCtAnFxPha6PWme0XzcfJbNLCJFGjg9Gsj7zBMZhm808C949ZYNKBEY7sovTR8xpZc37~Ct2YyUaAOD0C3qbvh-Hoz4qIxmQSVs97Fi~fGWv~ua6Pdk5-C3XlQXI9GlZtHjfLATHPcdB-hgfm78~JtIXCA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Springfield City, MA","date","2025-05-21T16:06:07.243Z","article","During public comment at the May 15 Springfield City Preservation Commission meeting a resident said neighbors were repeatedly parking in a way that blocked access to her private walkway and that a nearby liquor store license had been approved by a licensing commission meeting held by Zoom without neighborhood notice.

The resident said the parking incidents have made it difficult to access her home and described repeated calls to the police that did not resolve the situation. She asked whether the commission could intervene. City counsel on the call, identified in the meeting as Attorney Shay, said the matter was outside the historic‑commission’s purview but offered to connect the resident with the law department and city council for possible remedies, including examining whether an ordinance or curb line exists that would address the parking problem. Attorney Shay said he would call the resident and steer her to the appropriate city resources.

On the liquor license issue, the resident said a license for a new convenience/liquor outlet had been approved following a Zoom licensing meeting she had not been able to find on the published agenda; she expressed concern about multiple liquor outlets and the cumulative effect on the neighborhood. Commissioners noted licensing and zoning are administered elsewhere in city government and encouraged the resident to pursue appeals or complaints through the licensing body and the city council. Commissioners and staff said the preservation commission’s authority is limited to historic‑district permit matters and demo delays and cannot nullify licenses already granted by other boards.

The resident provided a phone number and address during the hearing; Attorney Shay said he would follow up directly to determine whether a legal remedy or ordinance change would be feasible and to connect her with code and council offices.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Springfield Historical Commission 05/15/25","oneSentenceSummary","A resident used the May 15 meeting’s public‑comment period to report neighbors repeatedly parking to block her private walkway and to raise concerns about a liquor license approved by Zoom last year; commissioners and city legal counsel advised contacting the city council and legal department for remedies.","taxTitle","Springfield City, Hampden County, Massachusetts","taxId",3703,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6232871,"Preservation commission opens public hearing on unified local historic district guidelines, then continues to July for more public input",831,1480000,2311000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3425696-757ec923d17706cedf117ba893e930b0&start=1480&end=2311","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3425696-757ec923d17706cedf117ba893e930b0/thumbnail_1480000.jpg","/articles/6232871/Springfield-City/Hampden-County/Massachusetts/Preservation-commission-opens-public-hearing-on-unified-local-historic-district-guidelines-then-continues-to-July-for-more-public-input","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6232871-6f248a6a1174a22f3e0ff819ab63629d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771218752&Signature=KI5OhtqP2xQnSymO7TptQPk4CM9OQHCbqeVmXkbeokjFwukRA0jzA4pTZBX1M~hh8dZdQ1BInDdF79Et17wMz2~yrCmu4xNZjCZOcJiRRwp8cY7xrlJSCmzkULM9tyB9WHqRn7QJXpPr3liY~EMWbG4I5gIefLruI~s8Gg7q5vv23ncqTlEbWOIjSQZCKG~OzcSpJUnfck9rE0hwPPdRkCr0-mp8GV2fp37xTVeyHrckogKQP9VEaTnoxUq2nVvCI6vckqdrUxOieDJUVm8qVYQg7Oph3jhrBMLB7pznOioHNxFXt~zXx3v0i~tM0edZMe60G4591ILML9KWYenL7A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Springfield City Preservation Commission on May 15 opened a public hearing on a proposed consolidated set of local historic district guidelines intended to apply across the city’s various local districts, but the commission agreed to continue the item to the July 2 meeting to give the public more time to review the revision.

Staff described the draft as a single comprehensive document that gathers provisions currently scattered across multiple district‑specific guidelines. The draft lists design review topics — porches, doors, steps, windows, fences, signs, roofs, satellite dishes, additions, siding, chimneys and garages — and aims to provide more consistent guidance for districts that previously lacked detailed rules. Staff said the document mirrors existing guidance used in several districts but also pulls “orphan” topics into one unified reference.

Public commenters and several commissioners said they needed more time to read and compare the draft against existing district‑level rules. Harry Seymour, a nearby resident, urged more “public exposure” and said, “If there isn't urgency for it, then it should have more public exposure,” arguing the city should not rush consolidated rules that affect multiple neighborhoods. Preservation advocates and other speakers asked for copies of the existing district guidelines to compare with the draft. Commissioners likewise requested additional time for staff to circulate materials and for outside stakeholders, including the preservation trust, to submit comments.

After discussion the commission voted to continue the public hearing to the July 2 meeting to allow for broader notice, circulation of the underlying district guidelines for comparison, and additional public comment. Staff said they will post and distribute the draft and the existing district guidance and solicit feedback from preservation stakeholders before the continued hearing.

Commissioners emphasized that the consolidated guidelines are intended to standardize review where districts lack detailed rules but that district‑specific provisions may still govern where they already exist. The continuation gives staff and the public time to identify where the consolidated text should be clarified or where district‑level exceptions remain necessary.","Commissioners opened a public hearing on proposed consolidated local historic district guidelines and, after public commenters and multiple commissioners asked for more time and broader notice, voted to continue consideration to the July 2 meeting for further public review and comment.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6232876,"Commission approves alternate replacement windows for 3 D Pioneer Street after staff explains funding limits",355,1034000,1389000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3425696-757ec923d17706cedf117ba893e930b0&start=1034&end=1389","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3425696-757ec923d17706cedf117ba893e930b0/thumbnail_1034000.jpg","/articles/6232876/Springfield-City/Hampden-County/Massachusetts/Commission-approves-alternate-replacement-windows-for-3-D-Pioneer-Street-after-staff-explains-funding-limits","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6232876-933bf2b824f794bef07d661cfc3e3838/orig.mp4?Expires=1771218752&Signature=BiAtnq23ym52EsE0HP9iGMfGvF531qa5k0xvJ6CGC4pu7u3-iZnKrLvyVFxSEXsFFWwe8X8KbY2wY5LDb2ZTpotWba4Gh0zXJlfZ0FypSZ2UbrRbxqngt98mxJNiNrmu9fD2liDBTXg3B-uZWaAx4joYVAJemjOFrsB5zq2z~~O19QGC~vkoDvQ49jmoWwaM2t6lS~kk0yfmupnofXJGPj1ISMEzDKTjzLORBHf9iVT-Pz0vrHuXg5LS7dFMLrHwPcVMQUVIkPkM58ogT3Ddzs4~cliWtzdvNCppZu93TchgKXnUxmwNcGtX-oSk2TjwYD4NhdtdrmNhnbzQXP6BrQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Springfield City Preservation Commission approved a window‑replacement application for 3 D Pioneer Street on May 15 after staff said the Office of Housing could not fund the originally specified windows and presented an alternate product.

William Brock, senior project manager in the Office of Housing, told the commission the original approval called for a higher‑cost window model that the housing program could not finance. He said the contractor proposed an alternative model, identified in the hearing as Harvey Majesty windows, that preserves the property’s prairie‑grid pattern at a lower price. Brock explained that the change was driven by program budget constraints and characterized the initial window choice as a luxury the program could not support.

Commissioners and the applicant discussed color and grille details. Brock confirmed the exterior finish proposed is bronze, and the applicant and commissioners noted that the darker bronze is close in appearance to black. The commission opened the matter for a public hearing, heard no opponents, and then moved to approve the application as presented, conditioning the approval on the replacement being “like‑for‑like” in appearance with the approved grid pattern and on the work matching the city’s exterior standards.

A roll‑call vote recorded affirmative votes from multiple commissioners. Commissioners emphasized that if the work as carried out differs materially from the approved specifications — for example, different exterior color or grille configuration visible from the street — the applicant must return to the commission for further review.

Staff noted the proposed change will be incorporated into the project file and that a separate hardship application may be filed if the applicant seeks other material substitutions later.","The commission approved an application allowing a more economical window product as an alternative to the originally approved (and costlier) windows; staff said the Office of Housing cannot fund the originally specified windows.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6232880,"Preservation commission continues hearing on 23 Spruce Island Avenue rear steps; applicant told to return with material samples",888,74000,962000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3425696-757ec923d17706cedf117ba893e930b0&start=74&end=962","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3425696-757ec923d17706cedf117ba893e930b0/thumbnail_74000.jpg","/articles/6232880/Springfield-City/Hampden-County/Massachusetts/Preservation-commission-continues-hearing-on-23-Spruce-Island-Avenue-rear-steps-applicant-told-to-return-with-material-samples","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6232880-a2f2296b67c28d580f6904be96aae55c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771218752&Signature=DsTaX1SWjW7oiFpnrxBairRJ1R6ZYGb5lRMbeAU7eoAYIy371tiHJWXiYSOc0rsN52lpKm695h59QTGqmu2U2CdAfUwihF5cBL6M3h~ByFutBDyG2ci7Idx2Rv7LFLfZ4PPnlDqgexYdQOQF92dWm1pzjcWEAYTmZ4VUg-bLHJF2cAwyOx90nFJxFO8L33ibAATXmVbuCoVsEvZiiFjhkgVMAB4hR5Rj-Dg49LXksKbR-E5X1BlJt26cU44EQDUE4m0dbDxVsIzOowevXXroVxWa8UvNphiBjxsUxgLOB8CkbRitQiSdpTNzLGLSEJccg4WUkmxqgKOWSPSXtQQ2Iw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Springfield City Preservation Commission on May 15 continued the application to replace the rear steps at 23 Spruce Island Avenue after the homeowner said her contractor had not yet provided final materials and drawings.

The homeowner, identified in the hearing as Michelle, described a plan to remove deteriorated end caps while trying to retain and repurpose as many original bricks as possible and install bluestone treads and new side railings. Michelle said she and the contractor had discussed several options and that cost was a major constraint: “I would love to keep the end caps if I could keep it contained,” she said during the hearing.

Commissioners and staff pressed for clearer information on final materials and construction details. Commissioners noted the commission’s typical standard that like‑for‑like replacement is preferred for historic features and asked to see an actual sample of the proposed bluestone, a scaled drawing, and details of the proposed rail type before taking a decision. The applicant acknowledged uncertainty about final costs and structural conditions that might be uncovered once the steps were taken apart; she said she would ask her contractor to bring samples and specifics to the next meeting.

Because the applicant did not have final material samples or a complete specification at the May 15 meeting, the commission voted to continue the hearing to the June 5 meeting so the owner could return with the requested samples, scaled drawings, and a clarified scope showing which historic elements — in particular brick end caps and existing masonry — would be retained or replaced.

The continued hearing will allow commissioners to evaluate whether the proposed materials and details meet the city’s rehabilitation guidance for historic properties and to confirm whether any replacement would require a different level of review if the work cannot be performed as like‑for‑like restoration.

Documents and images the applicant circulated at the hearing — photographs of neighboring properties, perspective sketches and close‑ups of the existing brick work — will be retained with the project file. The commission advised the applicant to include estimated costs or hardship documentation if financial constraints continue to limit restoration options.","The Springfield City Preservation Commission on May 15 continued a homeowner’s application to replace rear steps at 23 Spruce Island Avenue to the June 5 meeting after the owner said she had not yet finalized materials and the commission asked for samples and clearer drawings.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Resident raises parking obstruction and liquor‑store concerns; commission points caller to city law and council

Preservation commission opens public hearing on unified local historic district guidelines, then continues to July for more public input

Commission approves alternate replacement windows for 3 D Pioneer Street after staff explains funding limits

Preservation commission continues hearing on 23 Spruce Island Avenue rear steps; applicant told to return with material samples