Cheektowaga EAC recommends transit-site parking and pavilion despite wetland-buffer concerns

The Town of Cheektowaga Environmental Advisory Committee voted to recommend an amended site plan for a transit facility that would add parking stalls and a gazebo shelter near the town dog park, forwarding the committee’s recommendation to the town board for final action.

Committee members heard that the applicant sought additional parking and a small pavilion behind the dog park and that the application had been referred to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the town traffic safety committee; no written comments from DEC had been returned to the town at the time of the meeting. Chair (unnamed) summarized the change as “additional parking here, here, here, and then the gazebo here” and noted the referral status.

Members raised environmental concerns about placing the pavilion and expanded parking in or near a regulated wetland buffer. “I know the big concern was the the wetland buffer in the rear,” Chair (unnamed) said during the discussion, and another member added that dog-park runoff and uncollected waste can reach the wetland and therefore deserved attention. Several members said the site’s swales and drainage must be confirmed before building permits are issued.

After discussion the committee moved to recommend the amended plan to the town board; the motion passed by voice vote.

The recommendation is procedural: DEC review remains outstanding and the town retains authority through building-permit decisions. The town board will consider the EAC recommendation and any subsequently received agency comments before issuing local approvals.