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Opponents raise wetlands, tree and process concerns as council continues Indian Orchard zone-change hearing
Summary
Residents urged the Springfield City Council to deny a proposed zone change for a 1.2-acre parcel off Hampshire Street in Indian Orchard, saying it abuts Long Pond and is effectively wetlands; developers and staff said regulatory reviews (conservation, site plan, special permit) would address those concerns. The council voted to continue the hearing to April 27.
The Springfield City Council on March 23 continued a contested zone-change petition for a 1.2-acre parcel on Northside Hampshire Street in Indian Orchard after residents pressed elected officials about wetlands, tree loss and neighborhood notice.
Proponent Jim Ferrera, representing developer Ted Bukowski, described the request as a first step to allow multifamily housing on the site. “This is the first step, in this particular development,” Ferrera told the council, adding that the team has been meeting with neighborhood groups and would return for site-plan review or a special permit if the zone change advances.
In more than 20 minutes of opposition testimony, neighbors said the parcel abuts Long Pond and Kennedy Middle School grounds and claimed assessor records once marked parts of the lot “unbuildable.” Denise Hudson, who said she has lived on Hampshire Street for years, said the land is wet and steep and that the neighborhood…
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