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Board issues SEQR negative declaration, approves $1 purchase of 17.2‑acre lot adjacent to village solar site
Summary
Trustees found the proposed acquisition of 17.2 acres at 0 Broadway to be an unlisted action under SEQR and issued a negative declaration, then authorized mayoral signature on a $1 purchase from Erie County. The board discussed potential remediation and leasing options for the parcel.
The Village of Depew Board of Trustees voted Oct. 14 to find that the proposed acquisition of a 17.2‑acre parcel at 0 Broadway is an unlisted action under the State Environmental Quality Review Act and to issue a negative declaration, and then authorized the mayor to sign a purchase agreement to acquire the parcel from Erie County for $1.
Why it matters: The parcel adjoins the village’s existing solar array. The acquisition preserves the village’s ability to control future use of the land — including remediation, sale or lease for additional solar development — but the board did not adopt a final development or lease plan at the meeting.
What the board did: Trustee (motion maker) moved the board find, based on a Short Environmental Assessment Form (SEAF) prepared by the village’s engineer Dave Britton, PE, that the project is an unlisted action and would not have a significant adverse impact on the environment. The board then voted to issue a negative declaration under SEQR and, in a separate resolution, authorized Mayor Kevin Peterson to sign a purchase agreement to buy the parcel from Erie County for $1.
Discussion and context: Mayor Kevin Peterson said the parcel is 17.2 acres located west of the existing solar array. He told the board the village has an offer of cash for the parcel — he stated “an offer for $195,000 in cash” at the meeting — and said the solar company would remediate the property to the buyer’s specifications before any solar infrastructure is installed. Mayor Peterson also said leasing the parcel remains an option that could produce revenue over a longer term.
Follow‑up and conditions: The board’s actions allow the village to complete the purchase and explore remediation, lease or sale options. The purchase and SEQR determinations do not themselves authorize specific site development; any development will be subject to required permits, remediation standards and subsequent approvals.
Ending: The board approved both the SEQR negative declaration and the purchase by roll call vote; the motions carried unanimously.
