Committee recommends special permit for drive-through at 1504 Northampton Street; sends approval to full council

The Development and Governmental Relations Committee voted June 2 to approve a special permit recommendation for Holyoke Retail LLC to construct a drive-through accessory to a proposed retail bank at 1504 Northampton Street and will send the matter to the City Council for final action.

Attorney Ellen Bridal, representing Holyoke Retail LLC, told the committee the project already has site-plan approval from the planning board and an approved stormwater permit. “We have previously appeared before the planning board. We got site plan approval. They also granted a special permit for multiple buildings on 1 property and for a temporary fence, construction fence. We also have our stormwater permit,” Bridal said.

Dana Steele, a professional engineer with JR Russo and Associates who prepared the site plan, described the 2-acre site as mostly paved and said the plan places a single building in the middle of the parking area, adds perimeter landscaping and trees, retains existing curb cuts and provides queuing space for the drive-through “so cars can be able to wait for their turn at the drive thru without congesting the parking lot.” Steele said the plan provides more parking than required: “71 required with 76 spaces.”

Committee members asked about the proposed tenant and potential tax value. Bridal identified the tenant as Lawrence Bank, which she said is new to Holyoke. When asked about added property tax revenue, Bridal said the assessor and city staff would determine an updated valuation after construction; she did not provide a specific tax estimate.

After questions from councilors about circulation, landscaping and compliance with planning and building conditions, the committee closed the public hearing and voted to approve the special permit recommendation. Chairperson (recorded as Councillor Devine) moved to approve; the motion carried with an affirmative voice vote. Committee members said the planning board’s conditions—site circulation, drive-through dimensions, curb cuts and ADA standards—were incorporated in the application.

The recommendation will be placed on the City Council agenda for final consideration.

Ending: The project team said they will appear before the council the next day only as a recommendation (the committee will not present formally), and the council’s vote will determine final approval and permit issuance.