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Advisory board reviews site plans, urges 5‑foot sidewalks and other conditions for new commercial proposals
Summary
The board reviewed site plans for the Zimmerman property on Bedell Road and a proposed Wilfine LLC repair shop on Grand Island Boulevard, flagged a 200‑foot discharge extension, cited a federal parking reserve rule and recommended wider sidewalks and clearer pedestrian connectivity to nearby bus stops.
Members of the Grand Island Traffic and Safety Advisory Board on Feb. 11 reviewed commercial site plans and offered specific recommendations to the town planning and engineering departments.
The discussion covered a site plan for the Zimmerman properties at 2625 Bedell Road and a proposed Wilfine LLC repair shop on Grand Island Boulevard opposite a new plaza. Board members noted the Zimmerman plan includes an approximately 200‑foot extension for rear discharge and storage-use areas and described the adjacent stretch of Bedell Road as a mixed industrial–residential corridor.
On sidewalks, a board member said, "Normally, they put in 4 feet — I'm recommending 5," and urged planners to seek a five‑foot pedestrian walkway for commercial frontage. The board also questioned how a sidewalk stub ends near a bus stop and recommended extending or regrading the segment so it does not create a mid‑block crossing that would encourage unsafe pedestrian behavior.
Members cited a federal MTCD rule noted in the plans requiring "1 reserve parking spot per 25 parking spots"; the submitted plan showed 28 spaces, which would trigger the requirement for one additional reserved stall under that rule as interpreted by the board.
Other questions for planning and engineering included: the size and clearance of an eight‑foot sign, driveway gate access and how a proposed driveway would interface with existing residential access; whether the existing building on site will be demolished; and whether any nearby surface or subsurface environmental issues (a town member referenced DEC involvement in other sites) need further review.
The board agreed to forward written comments to planning and engineering asking for: a five‑foot sidewalk where practical, clarification on parking‑reserve compliance, clearer pedestrian connections to bus stops, and details on sign height and driveway function so the town can comment during the official review.
Why it matters: the board said pedestrian safety, bus‑stop access and loading/egress arrangements on Bedell Road and Grand Island Boulevard will affect neighborhood circulation and the gateway aesthetics into Grand Island.
