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Economic board backs letter supporting local auto-business expansion despite DOT limiting boulevard access
Summary
Grand IslandEconomic Development Advisory Board voted to send a letter of support for a long-standing family-owned automotive business seeking to expand to a new site at Bedell and Grand Island Boulevard after the state Department of Transportation declined a second curb cut onto the boulevard.
The Grand Island Economic Development Advisory Board voted to send a letter supporting a family-owned automotive and towing business seeking to relocate and expand at a corner lot at Bedell and Grand Island Boulevard.
The letter, as amended and approved by the board, urges alignment of the proposed site with the town—s master plan and design standards and asks decisionmakers to support front-facing businesses on Grand Island Boulevard. The business owners, identified in board discussion as Terry Sr. and Terry Jr., asked the board to include a recommendation with their application after the state Department of Transportation (DOT) told the applicant the DOT would not allow a second entrance directly onto Grand Island Boulevard.
Board member Jen said the DOT —is not in favor of allowing 2 exit and entrances. They wanna take the exit entrance off of Grand Island Boulevard and only have this 1 going from Bedell,— describing the state—s response after town planning board signoff.
Why it matters: The business owners told the board they are expanding from an undersized, long-time location and that the proposed corner site was designed so most parking and storage would be screened from the boulevard. Board members said the project aligns with efforts to encourage businesses to face Grand Island Boulevard and to improve streetscape quality.
What the board did: Committee chair Kristen moved to approve a support letter with edits that describe the site—s zoning and design consistency and encourage front-facing development; Dave seconded. Members instructed Jen to revise the draft to add language about the town—s master-plan goals and to circulate the final letter to the town clerk and relevant staff, with a copy to the applicant for inclusion with the DOT/permit submission.
Board comments and next steps: Members suggested the recommendation explicitly note the parcel—s location in the town—s business district and that the proposed design complies with local design guidance. Jen said she would send the revised letter to the board and copy town staff; Bob agreed to contact Cheryl (the school/Chamber contact referenced in other items) separately as part of outreach. Jose, identified in the meeting as the town liaison, will receive the letter for routing to the town board if needed.
No new permits were issued at the meeting. The board—s action was a formal advisory letter; any DOT permit decision remains with state agencies and the town review process.
