NORTHAMPTON — A proposed zoning change on Conz Street that’s tied to the pending sale of the World War II Club advanced Monday night at a City Council subcommittee meeting.
The proposed ordinance would change the zoning of nine parcels on Conz Street, including the World War II Club’s property, from neighborhood business to central business.
Two people from Signature Sounds, the Northampton record label and concert producer, have a purchase and sale agreement to buy the World War II Club’s building and liquor license. The club is currently home to a bar and a room for special events, and prospective buyers Jim Olsen, Signature Sounds president, and Peter Hamelin, director of live music, plan to use the space to host live music.
But, “neighborhood business” zoning doesn’t allow nightclubs, Carolyn Misch, assistant director of the city’s planning and sustainability department, told the Gazette last week. The deal to sell the World War II Club hinges on the zoning change.
“If for some reason the zoning was not approved for this area of town, we would not be able to operate our business as planned there,” Hamelin told the Gazette last week.
After nearly an hour of public comment on Monday, the City Council Committee on Legislative Matters voted unanimously to send the proposed zoning change to City Council with a positive recommendation. The full City Council will ultimately vote on the ordinance.
A number of residents and homeowners expressed concerns, such as parking problems and the increased noise that they say changing the zoning and allowing a music venue would bring.
The edge of Tetty Gorfine’s home is 50 feet from the World War II Club’s parking lot, she told the councilors. “I get woken up regularly,” she said.
In the warmer months when the windows are open, she said, “I can hear the music and feel that bass.”
“Let’s have a nightclub,” she said, “(but) please not in a residential area.”
If the zoning change passes, “I’m not going to want to live here,” she told the Gazette. “I barely want to live here now.”
Richard Bart worries about the value of his property across the street from the World War II Club. “I think this will definitely decrease my property values.” Though Bart has concerns, he said they aren’t about the prospective owners. “They’re reputable gentlemen,” he said.
Those who live or own property nearby, such as Shannon Letendre and Frank Patel, expressed worries about parking.
Some living near the World War II Club took no issue with the zoning change and the club turning into a music venue.
“I’ve never had any noise trouble,” said Kate Zdepski, who co-owns a home on Fruit Street roughly a five-minute walk away. “And I’m a librarian.”
“I’m honestly more inconvenienced by the Senior Center,” said Ace Tayloe, who co-owns the home on Fruit Street with Zdepski.
“I want to see the legacy of the World War II Club in my neighborhood,” Tayloe added.
Zdepski is a regular at the World War II Club’s Friday night karaoke and has gone to a number of community events there.
Thinking about the future of community events held at the building was the “biggest heartache” in discussing selling the club, said Steven Connor, president of the World War II Veterans’ Association of Hampshire County, the organization that owns and runs the club.
The club holds weekly lunches for veterans, which the potential new owners have said they want to continue to support. “For me, it’s about the veterans and making sure they have a gathering space,” Connor said, speaking in support of the zoning change.
Amy Cahillane, executive director of the Downtown Northampton Association spoke in favor of the ordinance. When there’s empty storefronts, said she sometimes hears that “downtown is dying.” She worries about ending up with an empty storefront.
Greta Jochem can be reached at gjochem@gazettenet.com.