East Longmeadow Planning Board Continues Firestone Hearing, Demands Design Revisions

EAST LONGMEADOW -- June 16, 2026, East Longmeadow Planning Board approves three permits, continues Firestone hearing to July amid traffic outcry. The board voted unanimously at its June 16 meeting to grant site plan review for a 775-square-foot detached ADU at 39 Parker Street, applicant Christopher Gallagher, and special permits for two Industrial Garden Park recreational facilities, the relocated 413 Athletic Training Center at 198-200 Benton Drive, applicant Andrew LeBelle, and a fitness studio at 80 Denslow Road, applicant Kimberly Prendergast. The Firestone Complete Auto Care application by Zaremba Group LLC for a 6,600-square-foot, eight-bay facility at 546 North Main Street drew more than a dozen speakers opposing the project on traffic, noise, and emergency-access grounds; the board continued the hearing to July 7 and ordered the developer to return with a building reorientation study, enhanced landscaping plans, a revised photometric plan showing downcast lighting, a comparison of trip-generation data for other by-right Business district uses, and research on state law governing open service bay doors. Planning and Community Development Director Rob Punderson announced his resignation effective July 2 to become planning director for the Town of Wellesley.