WEST SPRINGFIELD – The West Springfield Zoning Board of Appeals hosted a remote public hearing during their meeting April 26 to consider an application for a special permit to allow for the construction of a three-family home at a vacant property located on York Street.

The purpose of the special permit was to get some dimensional waivers, otherwise the lot is not buildable. The property owner, Ulugbek Gusenov, requested the three-family because that is all that is currently allowed in that zoning district.

There were some concerns about the project, predominantly surrounding the parking spaces and snow removal.

The neighbor to the subject lot, Jim Birchall, submitted a letter supporting the three-family home with a few considerations.

“The plan calls for three-bedroom apartments each floor and the project only has six off street parking spaces. The project could potentially need nine parking spaces or more depending on the makeup. The street doesn’t need anymore on-street parking as the cars that cut down drive fast and there are already a lot of cars that park on the street. Wintertime snow and the Big E add to the situation,” Birchall said.

His second concern is the aesthetics, that the construction fits in with the look of the neighborhood and a sidewalk built in the front of the home for pedestrian use.

Gusenov bought the lot from Mark Bergeron who also owns the properties on either side adjacent to the subject lot. Bergeron felt the relief should not be granted due to similar concerns with taxes, size, parking, the plan on building the home including that it would face the neighbors and invade their privacy. Bergeron stated when Gusenov bought the property they told him it is an unbuildable lot.

“I think this is going to stress that area more than this can support due to the parking and snow removal,” Secretary Michael Oleksak said.

The board moved to deny the special permit. They felt the plan presented would overtax a lot along with other issues that would impact the neighborhood like the dimensions being too large.

“The board feels that granting the permit will be a detriment, not in the public good and not in harmony with business and the neighborhood, as well as the parking issue. Setbacks to the side yard are also too minimal in the board’s opinion,” Chairperson Chester Zymroz said.

Mayor William Reichelt has proposed a zoning amendment that will also allow a two-family in that district. The proposal is still going through a review process and needs to be approved by Town Council. Gusenov stated he will wait for that process to play out before he moves forward with his next plan for the lot.