Save the Farr Mansion - 399 Appleton St

Many thanks to the neighbors (including the Board of the Carlos Vega Townhomes and the Spanish Church of God) who signed our petition against the YMCA's application for a zone change at 399 Appleton, and many thanks to the Ordinance Committee of the City Council who voted to recommend denying the zone change last Tuesday. The full City Council vote (the final vote on this matter) is TONIGHT at 7 pm at City Hall. Please consider attending the vote and/or contacting your councilors to urge them to vote NO against this illegal spot-zone. If this zone change is passed, this changes our neighborhood irrevocably: a business commercial zone allows for a number of future uses that are not in keeping with the Downtown Residential feel and existing zoning. The YMCA had --and still has--options to solve its perceived parking problem beyond changing the zoning of this small parcel. http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2015/03/holyoke_ymca_needs_12_council.html

Holyoke YMCA needs 12 Council votes for parking lot zone change Normally, a zone change requires approval from a two-thirds majority of the City Council, or 10 votes.

http://www.citylab.com/design/2014/09/in-its-last-days-a-house-turns-to-gold/380345/

In Its Last Days, a House Turns to Gold A Pittsburgh-area artist commemorates the derelict house next door, starting with a coat of paint.

Thanks to the HPD, YMCA patrons now have to park on the street instead of parking on the public sidewalk. There is a cruiser out informing people now. Walk a few extra feet and