Site plan approved for the new eye care practice on Federal Street
At their regular meeting last week (September 4), the Planning Board reviewed the site plan presented by the eye doctors that are going into the old Bank Of America location on Federal Street, across from Greenfield Middle School.
It sounds like they will be making some cosmetic changes to the existing structure, removing the old bank drive-through, and building an addition onto the side of the building. Otherwise, there are no major changes planned for the site.
The Planning Board had questions about tree plantings and landscaping, sidewalk access, run-off from snow melt, connection to water and sewer services, and parking requirements, among other things. A few minor changes were identified, and then the board voted to approve the site plan, provided the submitters present amended plan (incorporating the agreed upon changes) within thirty days of approval.
It is an interesting experience, watching the members of the board talk through the plan with the business owners. The Planning Board does not have design authority, but they do have a fair amount of say—based upon and bounded by Greenfield's zoning ordinance—in how the structure and site fit into the surrounding area and the city's existing infrastructure and services.
I can imagine that, as a business owner or homeowner, this sort of oversight could feel burdensome and intrusive. At the same time, if I'm an abutter, I'm interested in not having any rando buy the lot next to me and build whatever they feel like on it. There is a balance to be struck, because we all have to live here together in town.
It sounds like they will be making some cosmetic changes to the existing structure, removing the old bank drive-through, and building an addition onto the side of the building. Otherwise, there are no major changes planned for the site.
The Planning Board had questions about tree plantings and landscaping, sidewalk access, run-off from snow melt, connection to water and sewer services, and parking requirements, among other things. A few minor changes were identified, and then the board voted to approve the site plan, provided the submitters present amended plan (incorporating the agreed upon changes) within thirty days of approval.
It is an interesting experience, watching the members of the board talk through the plan with the business owners. The Planning Board does not have design authority, but they do have a fair amount of say—based upon and bounded by Greenfield's zoning ordinance—in how the structure and site fit into the surrounding area and the city's existing infrastructure and services.
I can imagine that, as a business owner or homeowner, this sort of oversight could feel burdensome and intrusive. At the same time, if I'm an abutter, I'm interested in not having any rando buy the lot next to me and build whatever they feel like on it. There is a balance to be struck, because we all have to live here together in town.