Board approves special permits, appointments and local law; sets hearings and referrals

The East Aurora Village Board on Jan. 21 approved a number of permits, appointments and a local law and set public hearings on multiple commercial special‑use applications. Key votes included confirmation of two appointments, adoption of a local law to preserve an option to exceed the property tax levy limit if necessary, approval of a special use permit to operate a bed‑and‑breakfast and conditional approval of a temporary event permit.

Major outcomes at a glance

- Local law: The board approved Local Law 1 of 2025, authorizing a property tax levy limit override (roll call vote: Steve Aye; Kristen Aye; Ernie Aye; Molly Aye; Mayor Peter Mercurio Aye). The law preserves the board’s ability to exceed the state levy cap if needed and protects against calculation errors prior to final tax calculations.

- Appointments: Mayor Mercurio’s appointment of Scott Jakubzic as DPW Streets Foreman, effective Jan. 22, 2025, and the appointment of Police Officer Corey Speck to police lieutenant, effective Feb. 1, 2025, were approved by roll call (each unanimous among voting trustees present: Steve, Kristen, Ernie, Molly, and Mayor Mercurio).

- Special use permits and public hearings: The board approved a special use permit for a bed‑and‑breakfast at 30 Walnut Street (applicants Michael and Serena Scaccia). The board set public hearings for multiple special use applications on Feb. 18, 2025 (including 166 South Grove/Aurora Players, 21 Fairlawn Court, 160 Main Street/Favo Pizza, 634 Main Street/Taste Bistro) after discussion and, in one case, after voting not to refer an item to the planning commission.

- Planning referrals and site plans: The board referred multiple site plan and special‑use items to the planning commission for its Feb. 4 meeting, including a site plan for 123 Grama Street (emergency generator, dumpster enclosure and an 825‑square‑foot exterior patio) and an amended special‑use permit application for a coffee shop adjacent to MoYu Taco (Starbucks, interior 60 seats, proposed 24‑seat outdoor patio).

- Temporary use permits and events: The board approved several temporary use permits, including Hamlin Park uses for Town of Aurora programs and a July 3 celebration; a town summer camp series; and the Pasquale’s Pizza Run scheduled for March 15, 2025. The Pasquale’s run approval was conditional: outdoor amplification requires a separate amplification application and payment of the associated notification fee before the permit is issued; the applicant indicated 10% of proceeds will go to MAT Urban Center.

- Surplus property and grants: The board declared a 1995 Ford dump truck (ending in 2527) surplus and authorized auction. The board voted to apply for the New York CARES grant, a two‑year program worth $30,000 per year (total $60,000) to support resiliency and wellness programs for uniformed personnel (police, fire, dispatch).

How the votes were taken

Most routine permit motions were approved by voice vote. Several items were approved by roll call; those roll calls are recorded above. When motions lacked a roll‑call record in the transcript, the board used the standard voice‑or‑aye procedure and the clerk announced the outcome.

What’s next

The board set multiple public hearings for Feb. 18, 2025, and planning commission review dates on Feb. 4, 2025. Staff will follow up with applicants about any conditions (for example, amplification fees and notices for outdoor music) and will arrange required public‑notice steps before hearings.

Recorded motions and outcomes (selected)

- Approve minutes (01/06/2025): moved by Steve; second Molly; approved by voice vote. - Approve payment of Jan. 21 abstract ($113,988.42): moved Kristen; second Molly; approved by voice vote. - Open/close public hearings and approve special use permit for 30 Walnut Street: motions moved and seconded; public hearing opened and closed; special use permit approved. - Approve Local Law 1 of 2025 (property tax levy limit override): moved Kristen; second Ernie; roll call unanimous approval. - Appoint Scott Jakubzic, DPW Streets Foreman (start 01/22/2025): motion seconded; roll call unanimous approval. - Appoint Corey Speck, Police Lieutenant (start 02/01/2025): motion seconded; roll call unanimous approval. - Refer site plan for 123 Grama Street to planning commission (Feb. 4): motion passed. - Refer Starbucks amended special‑use (adjacent to MoYu Taco) to planning commission (Feb. 4): motion passed. - Conditional approval: Pasquale’s Pizza Run (March 15): motion approved; permit conditioned on applicant returning with amplification application and fee for neighbor notice. - Declare surplus: 1995 Ford dump truck (ending 2527) approved for auction. - Authorize application for New York CARES grant (two years, $30,000/year): motion passed; no local match required.

The board also handled a number of ministerial approvals for temporary uses, referrals and public hearings that are scheduled for the coming month.