Commission hears plan for 3,600 sq ft medical office at 550 Main Street; issues standard order

Rebecca Lee of Lebeck Associates, representing the applicant Better Health Care Solutions LLC, presented a site plan for a 3,600-square-foot medical office at 550 Main Street in Indian Orchard, a parcel south of Ludlow Avenue and the Chicopee River that was formerly a gas station. Lee said the plan keeps new work within previously disturbed areas, routes roof and paved runoff to a subsurface infiltration basin and level spreader located outside the 100-foot riverfront buffer, and adds a catch basin with a water-quality unit to maintain predevelopment peak discharge rates.

Lee told the commission the project meets local bylaw parking requirements and does not request relief, and that the applicant worked with a traffic consultant, Bowman Associates, and the Department of Public Works on signage and striping to improve flow on and off the site. She also said the design had received engineering review and MassDEP comments that had been addressed.

Commissioners asked about limited parking, potential traffic conflicts, and whether mature trees at the top of a slope would be removed for retaining-wall construction. Lee said some clearing for the retaining wall is necessary but the design minimizes disturbance and includes erosion control and plantings around remaining green space.

The commission closed the public hearing and voted to issue a standard order of conditions for the 550 Main Street project. The order does not include parking relief; staff will finalize the standard conditions and any required special conditions.