Planning panel recommends approval for cabinet-maker expansion at Prime Business Park

The Lockport Planning and Zoning Commission on Aug. 13 voted to recommend City Council approval of an amendment to a special-use permit that would allow a roughly 7,000-square-foot two-story addition for a cabinet fabrication business at Lot 12, Prime Business Park. The recommendation follows staff findings that the business has outgrown its existing space and that the proposed expansion would have minimal traffic, noise or utility impacts on adjacent properties. Staff member Lance (Planning staff) told commissioners the project adds storage and relocates existing docks and overhead doors to the new addition, and that the building’s materials and detailing will match the existing structure. “The footprint is approximately 7,000 square feet with an upper level,” Lance said during the presentation. He said the parcel is a 3.8-acre site in an O-2 general office district and that “furniture, cabinetry, and fixture manufacturing” is classified as a special use in that zoning district, which requires the amendment process and City Council approval. The commission’s findings of fact, as read by staff, said the expansion is “necessary and desirable to provide a service or a facility in the public interest” and that the use does not create a “substantial adverse effect upon the adjacent property.” The staff presentation noted the company previously expanded the building from 25,000 to 44,000 square feet in 2022 and that the new addition would sit atop the existing structure and abut a 60-foot utility and drainage easement to the east. David Oxley, identified in the meeting as representing the applicant, said, “We agree with staff's recommendations. We're here to answer any questions that you have.” No members of the public spoke on the item during the hearing. Commissioner Calderon moved to adopt staff’s findings and recommend approval to City Council; Commissioner Quinn seconded. The motion passed on a roll-call vote. The commission also approved the final development plan recommendation in the same action. Practical details recorded in the meeting record: the addition will not include any new overhead doors beyond relocated doors; the current parking layout will remain substantially unchanged; engineering and the local fire protection district reviewed the plans and raised no objections; and staff noted a landscape plan and elevations were included and found in conformance with requirements. Next steps: the commission’s recommendation will be forwarded to the City Council for final action; no Council action or dates were specified in the commission transcript.