Board Meeting Minutes 09/23/2010

WEST SENECA TOWN OFFICES                                      WEST SENECA PLANNING BOARD
1250 Union Road                                                              Special Meeting
West Seneca, NY 14224                                                   September 23, 2010

Chairman Robert Niederpruem Jr. called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. followed by the Pledge to the Flag.

ROLL CALL: Present    -   Robert Niederpruem Jr., Chairman
                                        Joseph Ciancio
                                        Gerald Greenan
                                        Donald Mendola
                                        Jim Rathmann
                                        Joseph Sherman
                                        John Gullo, Fire Inspector
                                        Andrew Reilly, Planning Consultant
                                        Shawn Martin, Town Attorney
                         Absent    -    Anthony Nigro

Chairman Niederpruem read the Fire Prevention Code instructing the public where to exit in case of a fire or other emergency.

APPROVAL OF PROOFS OF PUBLICATION

Motion by Greenan, seconded by Mendola, to approve the proofs of publication and posting of legal notice.

OLD BUSINESS COMMUNICATIONS

SPR2010-08

A request from Wal-Mart Real Estate for site plan approval for property located at 2400 Seneca Street for shopping center renovation for a 115,000 +/- sf building, including demolition (replacement building), parking, buffer fence, utilities, sidewalks, driveway improvements, new traffic signal and other typical site improvements.

Jim Basile, Project Engineer, thanked the Planning Board for holding the special meeting to address this project and for their cooperation and valuable feedback. He stated that Wal-Mart was pleased to serve the community and hoped it would bring many good opportunities for employment and economic growth to the town.  Mr. Basile reviewed the site changes requested at the previous meeting as follows:

1. Canoe island in front driveway – This was found to be unfeasible based on the required parking ratio of five space for each 1000 sf.  The island required a loss of about 16 spaces and they only had seven extra.  This would leave the project nine spaces short and a variance would be required.  Instead of the canoe island, they were proposing to put a “Stop Ahead” sign along the driveway and a stacked stop sign right before the crosswalk.
2. Sidewalk from Mt. Vernon to center sidewalk – This change was made.
3. All sidewalks 5’ in width – The existing sidewalk from Seneca Street to the proposed sidewalk in front of the existing retail space will be replaced to meet the 5’ minimum width.  All other sidewalks will be 5’ wide.

Chairman Niederpruem noted they had also discussed some sidewalk work on Edson Street.  It was determined that some of the sidewalks on Edson Street were in pretty good condition, but there were several areas around the site that could be done in lieu of the work on Edson Street. Chairman Niederpruem asked if Mr. Basile had seen the list.

Mr. Basile stated that he had seen the list. They were proposing improvements to 500’ of sidewalk on Edson Street and he understood they could chose an equivalent length of sidewalk at one of the locations on the list.

Planning Consultant Andrew Reilly stated that Town Engineer George Montz could determine where the worst sidewalks were located.  Mr. Basile stated that they would agree to this.

Mr. Mendola suggested that Wal-Mart consider an additional amount of sidewalk, possibly 200’, in the general area to enhance the area and heal over a lot of hard feelings around the area.  Mr. Basile stated that he will review this with Mr. Montz and see what they can do.

Mr. Mendola wanted to ensure that the lighting did not affect the adjoining properties and asked that they pay special attention to that.

Mr. Reilly stated that the lighting plan shows there will not be any light spillage, but the Code Enforcement Office can take a look at the situation after it is complete and have them adjusted if necessary.

Mr. Rathmann referred to the crosswalks and questioned if they were concrete, pavers, or asphalt and Mr. Basile advised that they were striped asphalt.  Mr. Rathmann requested that the crosswalks be pavers or concrete to better delineate them when the striping wears off.  He thought this would be an added visual.  Mr. Rathmann also suggested that the stop signs be “All Way” stops so people know that all four locations are stopping.  Mr. Basile agreed to the stops signs and using paver stones or stamped concrete for the crosswalks.

Mr. Ciancio questioned if the Manhassett Street access will be closed and Mr. Basile responded that the pedestrian access from Manhassett Street will be gated.

Motion by Greenan, seconded by Mendola, to adopt the attached resolution establishing the West Seneca Planning Board as SEQRA Lead Agency for the Wal-Mart Project at 2400 Seneca Street.

Motion by Mendola, seconded by Rathmann, to adopt the attached resolution issuing a Negative Declaration with regard to SEQRA for the Wal-Mart Project at 2400 Seneca Street.

Motion by Niederpruem, seconded by Mendola, to adopt the attached resolution granting final approval of the site plan application for the Wal-Mart Project at 2400 Seneca Street.

On the question, Mr. Greenan clarified that wherever “the code” was referenced in the resolution it refers to the West Seneca Zoning Ordinance of the West Seneca Town Code and not other instruments cited in the resolution.

ADJOURNMENT

Motion by Greenan, seconded by Mendola, to adjourn the meeting at 7:25 P.M.

PATRICIA C. DEPASQUALE, RMC/CMC
SECRETARY