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Town board delays site-plan approval after DOT opposes driveway onto Grand Island Boulevard
Summary
A planning-board-recommended site plan that included a driveway onto Grand Island Boulevard was tabled after an Erie County Department of Transportation review said it would not permit the boulevard access. Board members asked the applicant and staff to work with DOT before taking further action.
The Grand Island Town Board on Wednesday left a site-plan approval on the table after the county Department of Transportation told town staff it would not allow a driveway connecting the proposed development directly to Grand Island Boulevard.
The site plan had been recommended for approval by the planning board, but town planning staff told the board the DOT letter — received during SEQR/coordinator review — indicated DOT “does not want the driveway to Grand Island Boulevard” and that traffic should use the Dell/Bridal connection instead. Planning staff said the applicant was not aware of DOT’s position until that evening.
That position, staff said, could force a modification of the site plan if the applicant cannot obtain DOT permission. Board members debated whether to approve the plan now with a condition requiring all outside permits, or to table the item so the applicant and the town can work with DOT to resolve access. One member argued for tabling until an alternate Bridal (Dell) access is submitted, noting that DOT’s refusal could eliminate the proposed Grand Island Boulevard entrance entirely. Another member said the town could also communicate with DOT on the applicant’s behalf.
Planning staff recommended leaving the matter on the table while the applicant pursues potential changes and DOT discussions. The board did not adopt a formal resolution approving the site plan at the workshop.
The discussion cited nearby examples where commercial properties have boulevard access, and members questioned DOT’s rationale. Staff repeatedly emphasized the approval would be conditioned on obtaining external permits when required and that an unresolved DOT position could require future site-plan modification.
The board and staff agreed to continue work between the applicant and DOT and indicated they would bring the item back to a future meeting once access had been clarified or altered.
No formal vote to approve the site plan was recorded at the workshop; the item was left pending further coordination between the applicant, town planning staff and DOT.
