GREENFIELD — Two projects, including a new business proposal to fill a vacant building on Deerfield Street, were forwarded to the Zoning Board of Appeals Thursday evening with unanimous positive recommendations from the Planning Board.

Mechanic James Bennett and local architect Steve Drakulitch went before the Planning Board with a plan to convert an existing building at 199 Deerfield St. into an automotive repair facility. The property, which is now vacant, was previously used for retail.

“We need to go through a special permit because it is zoned General Commercial, and we’re proposing an auto repair … type place,” Drakulitch explained.

The 2,700-square-foot building would require no changes to the exterior and minimal, if any, renovations inside. There will be one active bay, Drakulitch said. Three employees are anticipated — a bookkeeper, the mechanic and an assistant.

“Minimally, we need to provide five (parking) spaces; we’re showing six,” Drakulitch said. “It’s partially paved, so there would have to be some patch and repair.”

Hours of operation would be roughly 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., but Bennett discussed the possibility of one day with extended hours. Planning Board members advised he consider what those hours might be before appearing before the Zoning Board of Appeals.

Meanwhile, in a different area of town, the new owner of the Planet gas station on the Mohawk Trail presented plans to convert the former three-bay automotive service station on the property into retail space.

Planning Board members briefly discussed the number of new parking spaces, noting there was “sufficient space” for seven on the east side of the building, compared to the 12 proposed. Owner Jihan Moussa, who purchased the property late last year, clarified that the gas pumps and canopy won’t change.

“We’re getting rid of the repair shop,” he explained. “The whole objective was to convert the repair station to a retail shop.”

Reporter Mary Byrne can be reached at mbyrne@recorder.com or 413-930-4429. Twitter: @MaryEByrne.

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