Proposed zoning brings lengthy discussion

by Robin M. Woolson
Grand Island Dispatch, June 25, 2004

After three years and six public hearings, the Grand Island Town Board may be close to adopting a zoning code for the Island.

The proposed zoning which has been a hot topic for weeks, was the main focus of the town board's attention June 23 at a workshop held at the Golden Age Center.

75 Comments

In discussing the zoning in specific areas of the Island, the board took into consideration the written comments submitted before the June 3 public hearing, comments at the hearing, and those submitted in the week following the hearing. In all, there were about 75 comments taken into account.

The board discussed each section, based on the number of comments the board received.

The first area was East River Road and Edgewater, which had received 20 comments.

One comment the board received suggested relocating the road that is currently there.

Councilman Gary Roesch said that issue needed to be addressed by the planning board and that the board should leave the zoning as proposed.

The board concurred with idea.

The second area of discussion was Webb Road, which received 14 comments.

At the public hearing on June 3, many residents spoke up asking to the zoning to be left the way it is.

The board again agreed that the proposed zoning should remain as it is.

Board members felt it should remain that way because the town has not received a site plan from the developer for this site. Zoning amendments could be made once a plan is in place.

More Comments

The next issue was Whitehaven and Harvey which had 11 comments taken into consideration.

The board noted this was also another instance where the developer had not submitted a site plan.

"They (developer) have the opportunity to come in and submit a plan," Roesch said. "It (the zoning) doesn't totally tie their hands into developing it into something else."

The board said this was the same situation as on Webb Road and that there needs to be consistency.

The board agreed once again to leave the zoning as proposed.

River Oaks received five comments that were discussed as well.

Councilman Richard Crawford said this issue had some concerns about acreage.

The board said that the area should be zoned as it is on the map and then there could be discussions with the developer.

Supervisor Peter McMahon said that the next step was for the proposed zoning to go through the State Environmental Quality Review, which would report its findings to see if it is consistent with the master plan.

McMahon said the board hopes to have the findings by the July 6 meeting. Then at the July 19 meeting, the proposed zoning could be adopted.