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Planning Board grants special permit for restaurant at 51 Prospect Street
Summary
The Planning Board unanimously approved SP-2026-02 for a restaurant at 51 Prospect St on May 5, attaching conditions on hours, seating (36 max), parking, lighting and required permits; minutes record neighborhood concerns about lighting and overflow parking and several neighbors voiced support.
The East Longmeadow Planning Board on May 5 approved a special permit for a restaurant at 51 Prospect Street, granting the permit with conditions aimed at minimizing neighborhood impacts.
Applicant Anthony Nguyen described a small restaurant featuring cuisine reflecting his cultural heritage. Nguyen told the board the plan reduced the original table layout to eight tables and that indoor dining could reasonably exceed 27 without adding parking. The minutes record that he said the business plans to be open Tuesday through Saturday (off Sunday and Monday) and also list operating hours as Tuesday–Friday 9 a.m.–7 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m.–8 p.m.; the minutes contain inconsistent day/hour entries on this point.
During the public hearing, David, an abutter, asked for additional screening and a dedicated delivery parking spot and expressed concern about light spilling onto his property. Kristina, another abutter, raised concerns about overflow parking on Williams Street. Several residents — Reagan, Susan, Judy and Darlene — spoke in support of the applicant and the proposed restaurant.
The board approved standard conditions recorded in the minutes, including requiring that the decision be recorded at the Hampden County Registry of Deeds, ensuring all required permits are obtained before operations begin, permitting board review or amendment of the special permit, and a lapse provision if substantial use does not commence within three years. The minutes specify the permit is awarded to Anthony Nguyen and that any change in ownership requires an amendment. The record sets a maximum of 36 seats, requires screened trash receptacles, downcast exterior lighting, and prohibits on‑street customer parking.
The board voted unanimously to approve the findings, adopt the proposed conditions and grant SP‑2026‑02 by a 4–0–0 vote. The minutes do not record any opposition or abstentions.
