HOLYOKE – The City Council’s Development and Government Relations Committee recommended granting a special permit to Auto Sale Center Inc., a long-established car dealership on Northampton Street.
Ward 3 Councilor David Bartley, the committee’s chair, presided over several public hearings at Monday’s meeting.
Auto Sales Center Inc. at 1607 Northampton St., requested a special permit to expand the dealership at newly acquired parcels at 1611 and 1615 Northampton St. Ira J. Elfman, the company’s president, appeared before the committee.
Elfman bought the adjacent parcels where Cooper’s Cottage and Cray’s Package Store once operated. He requested to expand his current business license to park cars on the new properties. The parcels maintain their business zoned designations.
Elfman added the nature of the business would remain, selling used cars. “I would have a little more room and a little more frontage on Northampton Street,” he said. He told the committee that he continues to refurbish the 1615 Northampton St. property.
He said the Cray’s property is in “disrepair,” and he expects to raze a portion of the structure. He also owns a two-family home, land and street behind Cray’s. If approved, the identified parcels would hold 10 cars.
The two-family house is currently unoccupied, according to Elfman, who plans to renovate the residence.
Patti Devine of Magnolia Avenue wrote in favor of Elfman’s application in a letter to the committee. Devine, a former city councilor, said the dealership has “kept a clean and respectful business” over the years.
Elfman told the committee he plans to keep the current operating hours. Bartley informed Elfman any changes to hours required filing an amendment to alter the special permit, which is renewed annually.
In other matters, the committee recommended granting a special permit to Gary Gladu of 139 Huron Avenue. Gladu wants to replace an existing driveway on Huron and construct a second driveway on Downing Street, which the property abuts.
The committee also recommended a home-occupancy special permit for Nicole Fontaine, who plans to open a hair salon at 351 Jarvis Avenue. Councilor At-large Howard Greaney advised Fontaine to speak to her neighbors about the hair salon idea.
The committee attached conditions onto Fontaine’s permit, including adhering to posted business hours, observe parking ordinances, one customer at a time with one person waiting, and no deliveries or signs. The full City Council will vote on the special permits during the Oct. 5 meeting.
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