WEST SPRINGFIELD – The actions of the Town Council on Oct. 3 may move forward the plans of Mayor Will Reichelt to create a new retail district in downtown West Springfield. The council voted to approve a zoning amendment that would restrict any new retail establishment to a footprint of 5,000 square feet.

Town Councilor Daniel O’Brien expressed concerns about the impact the new amendment would have on the owner of the CVS plaza who has announced he would like to bring in a Dollar General store to the space. As Allyson Manuel, the city’s planning director, explained to Reminder Publishing, the Dollar General store would take up 9,000 square feet, and the amendment would prohibit its development.

Manuel said the owner of the plaza has said he would “pursue all avenues to circumvent that.”

O’Brien said the owner of the plaza had been “a wonderful corporate citizen” who has allowed patrons of the Majestic Theater to park in the lot, as well as customers of the Celery Stalk. O’Brien expressed concern for how this amendment would affect those situations.

Reichelt proposed the idea in July. In a letter, he wrote to the council, “I have made it a priority of my administration to support the growth and development ofour downtown area, also known as the Central Business District (CBD). The downtown has historically been a place where local businesses provided a variety of services and goods to residents from within and outside of town. Sometime around the advent of the strip mall, the downtown began to lose some of its vibrancy. However, thanks to the recent significant investments of new property owners and small businesses, this area is experiencing a renaissance. Preserving the character and integrity of the CBD is critical to its continued revitalization. To that end, I am submitting a minor proposed amendment to the allowed uses in the district that I believe will support the further growth and development of a mix of small businesses by discouraging national chains and preventing the overcrowding of quick-stop businesses.

“As you will see, the amendment includes limiting the square footage of new retail developments to 5,000 square feet and requiring a 500-foot separation between convenience stores. Please keep in mind that these changes would not affect existing businesses. What this minor amendment will do is ensure that new development is in keeping with the charm and character of the area and is not detrimental to the recent progress that has been made. It is indisputable that thriving small business districts have a variety of offerings. That is because a diversity of stores and activities is essential to draw people into the area. Equally important is that the downtown is a safe, walkable and visually appealing place to visit, or even live. That is what these changes aim to accomplish – make the CBD a desirable place to visit, support the success of the businesses that have already taken the risk of investing in the downtown, and encourage more entrepreneurs to do the same.”

O’Brien voiced his opinion this effort was to try to create small shops similar to those found in Northampton and expressed his belief that those shops are not what people want or need.

During the public speak-out period the treasurer of the Majestic Theater, Todd Kadis, said he and others were worried this amendment would result in a negative outcome for parking for the theater.

Later in the meeting Council President Ed Sullivan said there are more than 200 parking spaces near the theater.