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Zoning board denies temporary permit for used-car sales lot at 1310 French Road
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Summary
The Cheektowaga Zoning Board of Appeals voted April 15 to deny a temporary-use permit for a proposed used-car showroom at 1310 French Road after neighbors and members raised zoning and character concerns; the applicant may reapply with new information.
The Cheektowaga Zoning Board of Appeals on April 15 denied a temporary-use permit request to operate a used-car sales showroom at 1310 French Road, concluding the proposed automotive use does not fit the site''s retail zoning and could change neighborhood character.
The applicant, who identified himself as Abdul Solomon, told the board he and a co-applicant would convert part of a vacant 5,800-square-foot building into an appointment-only showroom and hire "five people, including interns from the university" to run marketing and sales. A representative, Faisal, said the business would display no more than 10 cars on-site and would contract out any repairs.
Board members pressed the applicants over multiple inconsistencies between the written application and the drawings, including images in the packet that showed service bays. One board member warned, "If we approve this, the bays are gonna be there," and said the depicted bays could allow on-site repair regardless of the applicant's assurances. The clerk read a written opposition from the owner of Erie County Scooters next door, who argued the rezoning request "is inconsistent with sound planning principles and will create adverse impacts on surrounding properties," citing traffic, safety, infrastructure and loss of business stability.
The board debated whether the temporary permit would materially alter the corridor's retail character and whether a two-year permit would simply allow the business to expand and permanently change the site. A motion to deny the application was made and seconded; the board voted to deny the temporary-use permit. The chair told the applicant he could reapply but would need to provide new information addressing the board's concerns.
The denial leaves the property in its current retail zoning and signals the board's reluctance to allow automotive sales in areas not designated as motor-service districts. The applicant asked whether he could apply again; the board said yes, but with a requirement to submit substantive new materials.
Evidence for this article is drawn from the applicant's presentation and the board's discussion during the 1310 French Road agenda item.
