Planning Board Rejects Rezoning for Rehab Facility
Planning Board · Meeting of September 8, 2026
Holyoke Planning Board previews final comprehensive plan, denies a contested rezoning. Consultant Alan Penniman of Agency Landscape and Planning told the board the plan drew on more than 1,000 public comments and two and a half years of outreach; a vote is delayed to the board's next meeting pending a full five-member board. Residents including Hazel of Ward 1 and Ward 4 Councilor Richard Purcell pressed Mayor Garcia on displacement, with Garcia insisting "the plan is never to support or do things that are going to displace people." Separately, the board voted 4-0 to recommend denial of a zone change at 12 Crescent Street sought by North Country Production LLC for a 120-bed residential treatment facility, citing illegal "spot zoning." The board also continued two other zoning petitions to October 13 and approved a package of prior meeting minutes.
In the full story:
- Who Was There
- Organizations And Documents Referenced
- The complete report — 2,604 words
Source: the Planning Board meeting of September 8, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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