Depew Planning Board unanimously recommends special use permit for proposed cannabis dispensary

The Village of Depew Planning Board voted unanimously Dec. 4 to recommend that the Village Board grant a special use permit for a proposed cannabis dispensary in a shopping plaza on Walden Avenue.

Mark Romanowski of Rupp Fallscraft, representing the applicant, said the business has received a state license and would lease about 900 square feet at the right end of the plaza. "The store will be open 10 to 10, Monday through Sunday," Romanowski said, adding that inventory would be secured at all times and the location would be staffed by at least one employee plus security personnel.

The applicant told the board there would be no exterior changes other than signage and no additional parking required. Romanowski said the proposal replaces a former vapor shop in the space and that the company recently opened a first Western New York location on Main Street near the University at Buffalo.

Board members and staff praised the completeness of the application. One board member said the submittal "dotted your i's and crossed your t's" and staff reported the proposal appeared to meet both New York state and local zoning requirements for the C-2 Shopping Center District as presented.

Legal counsel discussed whether an environmental assessment form (EAF) should be filed, saying the project may fall between a Type II and an unlisted action and that the board should follow its precedent. Romanowski said he was comfortable proceeding either way and agreed to follow the board's direction.

The village's fire representative asked about after-hours access and keyholder response times; Romanowski said owner Jay Motani is local and the landlord is also a contact. The fire official suggested installing a Knox box (a locked device that allows only fire-department access) to avoid forced entries; the fire official estimated the device at about $500 and Romanowski said he would follow up with the landlord before returning to the board.

Member Matuszak made the motion to recommend the special use permit to the Village Board; Member Soja seconded. A roll call vote recorded five "yes" votes (Member Soja; Member Fedorovitz; Member Matuszak; Member Spencer; Chairman Matjewski) and no negative or abstaining votes. The board's recommendation is advisory; final approval rests with the Village Board.

The meeting record contains two slightly different property references: at one point the agenda item was announced for "3478 Walden Avenue," while the legal notice read aloud in the meeting cited "3470 Weldon Avenue, Unit Number 3, Depew, New York." The Planning Board's action was limited to recommending the special use permit to the Village Board; the transcript includes no public objections recorded during the meeting. The board adjourned at approximately 7:10 p.m.