Jamestown Zoning Board extends variances for Gateway Lofts supportive-housing project

The Jamestown Zoning Board of Appeals on March 5 approved an extension of two area variances for the Gateway Lofts supportive-apartments redevelopment, voting 6-0 to preserve prior variances while the developer completes financing and site remediation.

The variances cover a reduction in required parking and a reduced setback for an automotive-use area. Board chairwoman Tataviam and five other board members voted to extend the same two variances that had been approved in 2020 and extended four times thereafter; the earlier approvals had lapsed, prompting the renewal request.

Lindsay Hovidreich, an attorney at Phillips Lytle representing the applicant, said the project is an adaptive reuse of part of the existing Gateway Center into 110 residential units, including 56 units reserved through the New York Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative for persons with special needs and about 54 units for low- to moderate-income residents. Hovidreich told the board the proposal includes demolition of small structures at 53 and 54 Water Street to create more green space, a playground and riverfront improvements, and that the redevelopment will use historic tax credits and…