Council rejects zone change for James Street restaurant
Chicopee City Council defeats restaurant zone change on James Street after neighborhood opposition. The proposal, which would have allowed applicant Duy Nguyen of Hudson, New Hampshire to operate a restaurant at 749 James Street by converting the property from residential to business zoning, failed
City Council · Meeting of March 3, 2026
Chicopee City Council defeats restaurant zone change on James Street after neighborhood opposition. The proposal, which would have allowed applicant Duy Nguyen of Hudson, New Hampshire to operate a restaurant at 749 James Street by converting the property from residential to business zoning, failed 8 to 5, short of the 10 votes required for passage. Ward 9 Councilor Mary Elizabeth Pniak-Costello and others cited traffic and safety concerns for residents, while At-Large Councilor Joel D.
McAuliffe argued the zone change would eliminate split zoning and increase tax revenue. The council also unanimously approved appropriations totaling $51,753.79 from Free Cash for Uniroyal site litigation support and employee sick buyback.
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Source: the City Council meeting of March 3, 2026, compiled from the official minutes.
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