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Dunkirk council refers Deer Street abandonment north of Fourth Street to planning board
Summary
The Dunkirk Common Council voted to send a proposed discontinuance/abandonment of a portion of Deer Street north of Fourth Street (affecting the Save A Lot parking area) to the city planning board for review; council members and city staff clarified that the planning board review will be followed by a return to council for final action.
The Dunkirk Common Council voted unanimously to refer a proposed discontinuance of Deer Street north of Fourth Street — the portion that serves the Save A Lot plaza parking area — to the city planning board for review.
Council members and city staff said the referral would allow the planning board to weigh in on a request tied to a redevelopment negotiation involving the Save A Lot Plaza and nearby properties. City staff said the recommendation was narrowed from an earlier, larger abandonment request to remove only the parcel north of the Lakeshore Savings Bank drive-through entrance from the official city map.
The matter drew extended discussion at the meeting about what the referral would and would not do. City Attorney Ramonda said there was already a public hearing at a prior council meeting and "there were no public comments on the matter." Assessor Munson said the revised request removes the portion that previously raised concerns and leaves the city-owned street network intact. City staff (Randy) said the changed scope would preserve the bank frontage and a CARTS bus stop and that an easement for first responders would be reserved.
Several council members asked that written confirmation be obtained from Lakeshore Savings Bank showing its position; the city attorney and staff noted that Section 29 of New York's General City Law was relevant to the notification and land-conveyance process and that written documentation would be required as the process moves forward. The council paused an earlier roll call so members could hear a fuller explanation from staff before finalizing their votes; after clarification, the clerk recorded a unanimous affirmative roll call.
The referral does not itself change property ownership or remove land from the city map. The planning board will review the abandonment request and notify adjoining property owners as required by law; any final local law or conveyance would return to the council for a separate vote.
What happens next: the planning board will consider the referral and provide a report or recommendation back to the council, which retains final authority over any local law or abandonment ordinance.
