Holyoke City Council unanimously grants special permit to rebuild Shermerhorn's at 224 Westfield Road

The Holyoke City Council voted unanimously Tuesday, Feb. 18 to grant a special permit allowing F and M Highway Inc. to reconstruct and renovate Shermerhorn's restaurant and retail store at 224 Westfield Road.

The council considered a recommendation from the Committee on Development and Government Relations that the special permit be granted. Councilor Givner said the applicants "gave a great presentation" and that the plans provided would rebuild the site "exactly what was there before, but it will be up to code." Frank Damanes, identified during discussion as an engineer and a partner in the project, was in the chamber to present plans.

Councilors complimented the applicants for providing plans and for working with a concerned neighbor. Councilor Devine said the project team agreed to speak with the neighbor outside the meeting; Councilor Bacon praised the applicants for "doing their due diligence and finding the problem areas and doing it the right way." Councilor Israel Rivera said "a lot of people are grateful to still see that Shermerhorns will still be around." Councilor Givner said the building name dates back many decades and expressed hope the sign would be preserved.

The clerk called the roll on the motion to approve the special permit; the roll-call tally in the transcript shows all councilors present voted yes. The president declared the vote unanimous and the special permit approved.

No amendments, conditions, or appeal instructions were recorded in the transcript during the item. The item was introduced as a petition by F and M Highway Inc. under "section 4 73" in the agenda language; the transcript does not record further statutory citations or a listed permit number.