Zoning subcommittee split on rezoning three Chicopee parcels for proposed health and recovery center; one parcel advanced, two tied

John Murphy, a Massachusetts property owner, asked the Zoning Subcommittee to rezone three adjacent parcels in Willamansett from Business A to Residential B so his group can pursue an inpatient health and recovery facility and related reuse of existing buildings. The planning board recommended approval for each parcel, but the zoning subcommittee split on the requests after extensive public comment.

The parcels and subcommittee actions were: - 11 Saint Anthony Street (0.7775 acres): the subcommittee voted 3–2 to recommend approval of the zone change to Residential B. Planning had recommended approval (3–1 at the planning board) and staff noted the block is already predominately Residential B. - 0 Chicopee Street (parking parcel, 0.284 acres): the subcommittee vote was tied; the motion to approve did not carry and the committee’s report will go to the full City Council for final action. - 546 Chicopee Street (0.9926 acres): the committee again split on a motion to approve; the motion did not carry and the file will go to the full council.

Planning Director Lee Pollard framed the issue as an initial, land‑use step: Chicopee’s zoning code only allows institutions providing 24‑hour inpatient care in residential districts (A/B/C) and then only by special permit. He told the subcommittee the change of zoning would align parcel zoning with adjacent residential parcels and allow the applicant to pursue the next step — a discretionary special permit that would require detailed operations, security and licensing plans, and state approvals (including from BSAS and potential MassHealth credentialing if the operator accepts public insurance).

Murphy told the subcommittee, “we would need the zone change to at least go down that road,” saying the buildings are structurally sound and that rezoning is necessary to explore a reuse as a health and recovery service. Dr. Amy Fitzpatrick, an addiction medicine specialist the applicant brought to the hearing, described typical inpatient practices and security protocols and said patients who enroll are not involuntarily detained; facilities use screening, check‑in and supervised discharges, and can provide medication‑assisted treatment on site.

Public comment at the subcommittee hearing was lengthy and strongly split. Supporters in recovery argued for more inpatient beds and faster access to treatment: “Having beds available is the best thing that we can do to fight this crisis,” said Sherry Demaris, who identified herself as an addict in recovery. Opponents focused on neighborhood character, safety, bus stops and the concentration of institutional uses in Willamansett. Lillian Gagnon, whose house abuts Saint Anthony Street, said, “I am deeply opposed … There’s a safety issue,” and several speakers urged alternatives such as senior housing or veteran services.

Ward Councilor (name recorded in transcript as) asked the applicant to hold a neighborhood meeting and produce letters and community outreach before a special permit is submitted. Planning staff repeated that a zone change is only step one and that any future special permit would be discretionary and could carry conditions governing security, admissions, transportation and other operations.

As the committee split, the chair said each action will be forwarded to the full City Council on Aug. 5 where members not present or split votes will be resolved. The planning board packet and public comments will accompany each referral.

— What the committee decided: 11 Saint Anthony advanced to the Council with a favorable 3–2 recommendation from the subcommittee; the two parcels on Chicopee Street resulted in tie votes and the motions did not carry, so the matter will be decided by the full City Council on Aug. 5. The subcommittee and staff emphasized that any medical or recovery facility would still require a detailed special‑permit application and state licensing before operations could begin.