At a public hearing on April 15, Robert Levesque addressed concerns of neighbors to a proposed motor vehicle sales facility in Westfield. The Planning Board approved the special permit and stormwater plan with conditions for the facility at 198 Lockhouse Rd. The plan includes construction of five structures for sales, office space, and repairs, with site improvements such as parking, landscaping, and a new stormwater management system.
Changes to the plan were made in response to neighbors’ concerns, including the addition of plantings and an 8-foot fence on the property’s north end. Hours of operation were restricted to weekdays for retail and mechanical work on vehicles. Neighbors expressed concerns about noise and light pollution, so conditions for the permit include turning off all lighting by 9 p.m. and no activity on Sundays.
The neighbors, while not opposed to the business, wanted to be shielded from the impacts of the facility. The owner agreed to only have retail hours on Saturdays and confine mechanical repairs to the rear of the property, facing away from neighboring yards. Levesque also addressed concerns about removing old pine trees for safety reasons.
Overall, the concerns of neighbors were addressed through changes to the proposed plan, resulting in the approval of the special permit for the motor vehicle sales facility with conditions to mitigate noise and light pollution. The facility will operate within specified hours and follow a construction phasing plan.
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