GREENFIELD — Following a few brief remarks, Planning Board members voted unanimously Thursday evening to send City Council a favorable recommendation on the proposal to rezone certain parcels on the French King Highway.
The proposal, which was the subject of a joint public hearing by the Economic Development Committee and Planning Board in May, involves rezoning six parcels over 40.98 acres on the French King Highway from General Commercial, which provides for mixed retail, to Planned Industry, which is meant for manufacturing and industrial development.
“We’ve talked a lot about this,” said Planning Board Chair Charles Roberts, noting the topic had previously been brought forward to City Council in a different form.
The different version of the proposal was originally initiated last year by Mayor Roxann Wedegartner, who suggested a zoning change for 48 acres, or 11 parcels, from General Commercial to Planned Industry. The 11 parcels this zone encompasses include the land owned by Ceruzzi Properties where a 135,000-square-foot big box store was long proposed. That land is still under lease by Stop & Shop.
NE-XT Technologies President Steve Capshaw, whose business is located in the Interstate 91 Industrial Park, had previously expressed an interest in expanding his company. He said the expansion of his company would bring upwards of 400 jobs to the city.
That rezoning proposal, however, was ultimately voted down by City Council, with several councilors citing concerns about a need for housing. It failed a second time following a motion to reconsider. Three councilors supported the rezoning proposal at the December 2022 meeting and seven voted in support in January.
To pass at City Council, the revised proposal will require a two-thirds majority vote. Councilors are expected to consider it at their June 21 meeting.
A handful of residents attended last month’s meeting, during which most voiced support for the rezoning proposal. In particular, residents spoke about the potential to increase Greenfield’s tax base, while also providing high-wage jobs.
On Tuesday, Roberts said feedback on the proposal has been “generally positive.”
The vote to forward an “enthusiastic” recommendation to City Council was supported unanimously.
Reporter Mary Byrne can be reached at mbyrne@recorder.com or 413-930-4429. Twitter: @MaryEByrne.