WESTFIELD — In a second public hearing on April 15, Robert Levesque of R. Levesque Associates, representing Benjamin Savotchka for Irina & Family, satisfactorily addressed the concerns of neighbors to a proposed motor vehicle sales facility at 198 Lockhouse Rd., which the Planning Board then approved for a special permit and stormwater plan with conditions.
The plan includes the construction of five structures to be used for motor vehicle sales with incidental office space and repairs. Associated site improvements include a front parking area with 12 spaces for employees and 22 spaces for vehicle sales, installation of underground utilities, the construction of a new stormwater management system, site grading, landscaped areas, and lighting.
The buildings to be constructed will include an addition of an office for retail sales onto an existing house, an addition-extension to an existing garage, a new garage in the rear of the property and other smaller out buildings.
Levesque said in response to concerns from the abutting residents on Lockwood Road, the proposal was changed to include plantings and an 8-foot stockade fence on the north end of the property which would lower to a 6-foot fence in the rear. After further discussion at the meeting, the plan was amended to install the 8-foot fence beginning at the 20-foot setback all the way to the rear property line, and installing a 3-foot fence the first 20 feet, to comply with the ordinance.
Other changes to the plan included increasing the size of retail show spaces in the front of the building to allow the display of recreational vehicles for sale. All mechanical work on cars and RVs for sale will be confined to the rear of the property or inside the garages.
Hours of the retail business will be on Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mechanical work on the vehicles will be confined to Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., with no repair work to be done on weekends.
Levesque said a stand of old pine trees on the Lockwood Road frontage will be removed for age and line of sight, another concern expressed by the neighbors and by Councilor Kristen Mello, who attended the hearing.
The neighbors, including Jason Leach on 210 Lockhouse Rd., said they were not opposed to the business, but wanted to be shielded from noise and lights, especially on weekends when he’s home. “I don’t want to hear it, see it, smell it,” Leach said.
Savotchka said there will be no activity on Sundays, as the family attends church, and they agreed to only have retail hours on Saturdays. Mechanical repairs will be done on the south side of the new garage to be built in the rear, facing away from the neighbor’s yard.
Other conditions for the permit include all lighting except for security lights to be turned off by 9 p.m., including a lighted pylon sign which must be approved before being installed, and a construction phasing plan to be approved along with the signage.
