The private soccer complex would have indoor fields in a permanent building and under an inflatable dome.
Don Cameron of Amherst (right) is seeking as principal owner to construct an indoor and outdoor soccer facility at 123 First Ave., in Chicopee. In the center is his son Colby, 14, and on the left is Bill Marconi, who will be the general manager of the facility if their permits are granted.
CHICOPEE – The City Council zoning committee rejected a modified proposal to place an private soccer facility outside Westover Air Reserve Base after military officials said they have still have concerns about its safety.
After an hour-long hearing, the zoning committee rejected the request for a special permit 7-0. The full City Council will consider the proposal at its next meeting in September.
Donald Cameron III, of Amherst, wants to turn the former Post Office warehouse at 123 First St. into a sports facility with indoor and outdoor fields. His original plan was rejected in April because it is located in the Accident Prevention Zone, which is close to Westover runway and is vulnerable to plane crashes.
Thursday Cameron returned to the zoning committee with a modified plan that reduced the number of outdoor fields in the zone from six to one and moved an inflatable dome, which would cover six fields, outside the zone.
“We heard the military, we listened, we went back and we modified our plans dramatically,” said Thomas Murphy, a lawyer representing Cameron.
The biggest change is moving the inflatable dome, where 75 to 80 percent of the business will be, Murphy said.
Recommendations limit the number of people who gather in the zone to 25 per acre. With the property measuring 40 acres and the activities expected to attract no more than 225 people at a time, estimates show it will be well within the limits, Murphy said.
Murphy argued the project is good for the city, especially since playing fields are scarce. It will be a $6 million investment, the business will pay about $100,000 to the city in annual taxes and it will create jobs.
Murphy submitted a petition signed by about 3,000 people supporting the project. About 30 people attended the hearing but no one addressed the board.
He accused Westover officials of trying to scare people, saying plane crashes are rare and no C-5 Galaxy jet has ever crashed in Chicopee.
“We are not against soccer,” said Col. Steven Vautrain, commander of the 439th Airlift Wing. “People need to know this is a hazardous place.”
While the inflatable dome has been moved, the building, which will hold four indoor fields, cannot be moved. In addition people will be parking in the zone.
“We are trying to educate the public. Things do happen and they happen on the take off and landing,” he said.
Maj. Paul Dawson, a Westover lawyer, argued the density does not mean an average over the entire space but the number of people on any one spot. He said the outdoor soccer field, which measures between 1.5 and 2 acres will exceed the density of 25 people after spectators, children and employees are counted.
City Councilors said they like the project, but not in the proposed location.
“They are all legitimate concerns. I cannot recommend this,” Councilor Timothy S. McLellan said.
It is especially a concern at a time when Westover, which is the city’s largest employer, could face federal budget cutbacks including a proposal that could cut the number of planes at the base from 16 to eight in the future, he said.
Councilor John L. Vieau, chairman of the subcommittee, agreed saying his children play soccer, but he cannot support the plan when there are safety concerns.