HADLEY — A development is being considered for a Middle Street property in Hadley center that could bring up to 16 duplexes reserved for people 55 and over.
Todd Cellura of Sovereign Builders of Northampton told the Planning Board last week that he is examining subdividing the parcels at 44 Middle St., in the senior housing overlay district, to accommodate the project.
Cellura said he wants to know whether such a development would be looked at favorably before proceeding with infrastructure design and site plans, observing that he needs a level of density to make the project work.
The site is seen as desirable for senior living due to its proximity to the Hadley Public Library, the Hadley Senior Center and the Norwottuck Rail Trail, he said.
Jeff Squire from Berkshire Design said if the project moves forward to a subdivision plan, it would follow the design guidelines in the senior overlay district.
“Ideally, it would be some kind of senior housing development,” Squire said.
Some of the rules related to these types of projects were changed at a recent Town Meeting, permitting denser development and multiple senior apartments to be located in a single building.
In 2019, voters defeated an extension of the senior overlay district on properties to the north. That would have featured 28 detached units.
The only senior project constructed in town so far is East Street Commons, featuring 35 homes in a cul-de-sac off East Street and bordering the bike path. Additional senior projects are being considered for a former farm between North Maple Street and Rocky Hill Road, and at the Hampton Inn Village Barn site near the Coolidge Bridge.
Signs for new urgent care
In other business, the Planning Board approved new signs for 424 Russell St., a medical building that is to become a ConvenientMD Urgent Care.
Formerly a MedExpress Urgent Care, prior to its closing earlier this year, the signs on the building will be reduced from 202 square feet to 160 square feet. The signs, though, will still be in excess of the 64 square feet total sign area allowed by town bylaws.
In addition, ConvenientMD will be keeping, though refacing, the internally illuminated pylon sign at the corner of Russell Street and Campus Plaza Road.
Planning Board Chairman James Maksimoski said internally illuminated signs are now prohibited, but this is allowed because it is a preexisting, nonconforming use from when a Pizza Hut restaurant was at the site. Maksimoski said he board appreciates that there is some reduction to signs on the building.
Board members, though, were puzzled as to how MedExpress, which was permitted in 2017, could have such large signs. William Dwyer, the board’s clerk, observes that mistakes were apparently made.
“There’s no point in going back and figuring out what happened,” Dwyer said.
