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Council approves zone change on Hampshire Street after heated debate over wetlands and community input
Summary
After more than an hour of public testimony, the Springfield City Council voted to change zoning on Northside Hampshire Street from Residence B to Residence C, a decision proponents say enables multifamily options while opponents warned it would threaten wetlands and tree cover. The vote passed with multiple yes votes, three no votes and one recusal.
The Springfield City Council voted to rezone a parcel on Northside Hampshire Street from Residence B to Residence C on April 27, advancing a developer's plan that could allow multiple two-family buildings on one lot.
The request, presented by attorney Jim Ferrera on behalf of Berkowski Construction, would permit multifamily development on a privately owned parcel that proponents say will expand local housing opportunities in Indian Orchard. Ferrera told the council that the planning department had recommended the change and described the zone change as "the first step" before site-plan and special-permit review that would involve further neighborhood input. "We kindly ask that the council approve the zone change tonight so that we can move forward and continue to have discussions with the neighborhood," Ferrera said.
The zone change generated sustained public opposition focused on environmental and neighborhood impacts. Denise Hudson, a neighboring resident, said she had followed the proposal…
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