A Cheektowaga applicant won board approval for a phased cremation‑niche development on Harlem Road adjacent to the cemetery bell tower.

Doug Wazura, identifying himself as president and CEO of Mount Calvary Semptery, told the board the project would place four buildings of cremation niches into a long‑vacant west section of the cemetery, building the first structure and its circular driveway initially and adding the others as demand warrants. "About 65 percent of the cases in New York state of people who've passed choose cremation," Wazura said, explaining the market rationale for glass‑front niche units he described as uncommon in the Buffalo area. "We've tried some glass niches in other buildings that we've retrofit. They sell really well."

Wazura described interior glass‑front niches and exterior granite‑faced niches, and said the building would have heat, air conditioning and electricity but no bathrooms or water fixtures. He also described site amenities planned behind the bell tower, including benches and a permeable‑paver pathway intended to reduce stormwater impacts. Wazura said the cemetery held a community roundtable in the Cheektowaga Western Union area where residents expressed a desire for places to sit and reflect.

Board members asked about phasing and how the garden and benches would be incorporated if the later buildings did not sell out; Wazura said the first two buildings would be nearest the driveway and the area behind them would be turned into a garden even if additional buildings were not immediately constructed. After discussion the board member moved to approve the site plan, a second was recorded, the membership voted in favor and the motion carried.

After the vote, Wazura thanked staff and singled out town staffer Danny Young for assistance with permitting and responsiveness during the review. The project will return to staff and the applicant for any required follow‑ups before construction begins.