Shorter Lee:
No more development! But don't raise my property taxes and/or fees!!!!
LOL
Shorter Lee:
No more development! But don't raise my property taxes and/or fees!!!!
LOL
Click on "Breezy's" solution:Quote:
Originally Posted by Breezy
Quote:
Zoning boards don’t have unlimited authority in considering variance applications. They’re governed by state law which establishes the tests for granting a variance and local governments can’t substitute different tests for approval. Nor can a zoning board deny a variance solely on the basis of general community opposition.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lee Chowaniec
That is the meeting I attended, everything you post is spot on. The zoning board allowed it, the town board majority voted in favor of it with 1 absent and 1 opposed. The enough is enough is theater, when was or is it too much? The town is stuck with their poor planning from years ago, But I don’t see a reason to let a small fish business get their approval after all the larger ones got theirs over the years. Pick your battles I guess, and this is one I would let go
Just a satire and I am joking of course:Quote:
Originally Posted by Breezy
Hey "Breezy,"
I did not realize just how representative of public opinion that the Transit-Wegmans area of Lancaster is, so I decided to take a page out of your polling procedures manual, and sampled some public opinion.
I think I stood at the corner of William and Transit, and asked shoppers and transients some over-development and political preference questions.
I believe I found that most people thought that the area was too heavily congested and dangerous. Those same people felt it necessary for the town to change political direction.
The exception to that trending "change" opinion was in the office of town clerk. Everyone, Democrat, Republican, Independents, Conservatives and "Blanks" were all supporting Diane Terranova because they felt Ms. Desiderio was unqualified for the job,
Many cited her lack of understanding of the role of town clerk as their primary concern, while some were upset with the Desiderio suggestion that the town clerk was/is somehow is responsible for the trash bag tax.
Good grief, you have been on Speak Up insulting Gaczewski and Todaro, twisting and distorting their positions and comments, but seem to give Desiderio, with all of her rather questionable suggestions relating to the duties and responsibilities of the town clerk, a pass!
Why is that "Breezy?"
Are you not the defender of all things Democrat, and is not Terranova the incumbent Democrat candidate for Town Clerk?
Is there some sort of scheme, collusion, or other shenanigan(s) in play in the Town Clerk's race?
Do you think that the Libertarian disqualification has anything to do with the Lancaster Town Clerk's race?
Please, favor us with you sage wisdom, and for Heaven's sake "Breezy," you need to step-up your game, and get on the Democrat-Terranova team.
Or can't you do that?
Your friend,
Mark
FYI, The Sun, September 26, 2019
https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0?ui=...d=ii_k1101gmu0
Development Company petitions for variances - again
Benderson Development Company, LLC, 570 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, New York 14202 is once again petitioning for three [3] variances for the purpose of installing an outside dining area with a twelve-seat capacity on property owned by the petitioner located at 4931 Transit Road, Lancaster, New York. The outdoor patio variances would allow Rachel’s Mediterranean Grill to expand its operation.
On January 6th, Benderson Development Company appeared before the Lancaster Planning Board seeking an amended site plan approval to construct an outdoor patio for its client Rachel’s Mediterranean Grill. The site plan review was quickly tabled until February 17, 2021, allowing for Benderson to appear before the town Zoning Board of Appeals (ZB) to petition for three variances that would be required to move the site plan along.
The first variance pertains to property setback variances, a second variance petition to allow outside dining as an accessory use, and the third to reduce the required parking spaces by four (4) spaces.
Substantial variance relief was already granted on August 8, 2019. The ZBA approved a 35-parking retail development space variance, from 193 parking spaces to 158. Variance relief was also granted in allowing Rachel’s Mediterranean Grill to collocate signage on Orville’s Pole sign. The developer creates his own hardships in overdeveloping the property and looks to the town for relief at the expense of resident safety and wellbeing.
I take no issue with the setback variances or the variance to allow outside dining as an accessory use.
I have grave safety concerns with the petitioner's request for a variance to reduce the required parking spaces by four [4] spaces
There are only 16 parking spaces serving the four building commercial enterprises - regularly filled during operating hours. Overflow clientele are required to walk across the development’s inner road that intersects with signalized William Street.
Technically, there are only four parking space available directly in the front of Rachel’s. Not adding any parking spaces adjacent to the proposed outdoor patio compels clients to walk a distance cross a heavily trafficked inner road that connects four commercial entities to signalization at William Street. A busy inner road with no safe pedestrian pathway.
The major portion of traffic on this inner road comes from major client Aldi customers accessing signalization to leave the Benderson complex to make safe left turns heading south onto Transit Road.
To use the parking provided behind the building (where there is no public access), Benderson is suggesting construction of a sidewalk which would result in clients having to walk 100-200 ft. to access Rachel’s main entrance to enter the outdoor patio. This is Buffalo, with a weather environment that is not conducive to such arrangement and further adds to public safety concerns.
I empathize and support businesses suffering financial losses from Covid. I order takeout food frequently but ensure it is from a safe environment that I am visiting. I visit this sire quite often, believe it is underserved with parking availability as is, and believe public safety is already being compromised.
I would hope the Zoning Board of Appeals takes a hard look at this variance appeal this coming Thursday to ensure the public’s safety and best interests are being served over that of the applicant.
Lee, am I correct in assuming that any decision will be made by the incumbent ZBA membership, or can such a decision in some way, reflect the wisdom and will of any possible new ZBA appointees?Quote:
Originally Posted by Lee Chowaniec
If they planned ahead, instead of just throwing a building in there without thinking, they could have rotated the building 90 degrees and leveraged the space better. They have an additional 32 spaces on the side and back of the building that could have all been in the front of a rotated building. Typical benderson.
https://www.google.com/maps/@42.8793.../data=!3m1!1e3
Any decision rendered on Thursday will be by the incumbent board. The newly appointed board has yet to be approved by the town board. That will happen at next week's town board meeting.Quote:
Originally Posted by mark blazejewski
At Thursday's ZBA meeting there will only be five members in attendance. Swigowski's term expired and I understand he has moved out of town. Quinn's position has not been filled since his retirement. Sojka will serve as Chair even though his term expired and will not be reappointed to the ZBA.
I find it strange that Sojka will not be reappointed to the ZBA considering he was voted Chair by his own board members when Richard Quinn resigned, submitted a letter of intent to continue serving on the ZBA, and in my opinion submitted the best resume of qualifications that should have made him a given for the position - and especially when incumbent ZBA members seeking reappointment by rote get reappointed.
Yours is very concerning news, and the post's analysis may raise some very significant issues.Quote:
Originally Posted by Lee Chowaniec
Since reading of this news, I did some research regarding Mr. Sojka.Quote:
Originally Posted by Lee Chowaniec
I understand that Mr. Sojks's performance on the ZBA, both as Chairman and Member, has been stellar. As such, I am perplexed, if not troubled, by the apparent decision of the Democrat Majority Caucus, under the leadership of Supervisor Ruffino, not to reappoint him to the ZBA.
It is important for the reader to know that Tyler Sojka was appointed to the ZBA Chairmanship in 2020 by the members of the ZBA. I would suggest that his elevation was resultant of a peer-reviewed assessment of his incumbency.
For the reader's information, Sojka holds a BS from Buffalo State SUNY, and his practical experience included duties as a personal intern to Chris Hawley of the City of Buffalo Planning Department.
Furthermore, Tyler Sojka also worked very closely with former Williamsville Mayor Brian Kulpa as they engaged the "Picture Mains Street" Program in 2017.
Since 2017, Mr. Sojka has not only functioned as ZBA Chairman and Member, but since 2019, he has been a Village of Lancaster Planning Commissioner.
Indeed, Mr. Sojka, IMHO, remains eminently qualified to discharge the duties of a ZBA Chairman and member.
I wonder who is going to replace Mr. Sojka, and if his or her qualifications exceed or at least equals those of Mr. Sojka.
Are you not suspicious that politics to the exclusion of the interests of Lancaster may be afoot?
If he worked with Kulpa get the hell rid of him!!! If he worked in the City planning dept. get the hell rid of him.
Easy grump, Tyler Sojka attended Buffalo State SUNY from 2013 until degreed in 2017. I understand that his duties with both Hawley and Kulpa were performed within the scope of college-related and/or assigned field work.Quote:
Originally Posted by grump
Sojka was a student intern assigned to Kulpa, and his duties were not executed as a City employee.
It would seem that Sojka's experience with Kulpa was also college related.
As Sojka excelled in college-related and/or assigned field work, equally, Sojka's performance of his public trust duties has been, and remains, stellar.
I hope that information clears things up for you grump.