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Zakaria Hassan asks zoning board to allow Cherry Street convenience store to remain
Summary
At an Erie Zoning Hearing Board meeting, owner Zakaria Hassan and his attorney sought a change-of-use to formalize a neighborhood convenience store at a Cherry Street property; the board asked for more information and tabled the request.
At an Erie Zoning Hearing Board meeting, property owner Zakaria Hassan testified that he converted a former barbershop into a small convenience store after buying the building in 2019 and has operated it serving neighborhood foot traffic since then. Attorney Craig (transcribed variably as “Zoan”/“Zona”) told the board the structure has a long commercial history and that converting it to another permitted use would be cost-prohibitive.
The board opened appeal number 1336, listed in the record with a Cherry Street address (transcribed variously as 2690 and 2960 Cherry Street and discussed on the record as 29 60/2960); the record also lists parcel identification 14-1127-202 and indicates the property is zoned R1A, where retail is not a permitted use under section 205.2 of the zoning ordinance. Counsel said the owner did not obtain permitting when he changed the use and that the zoning office raised the issue in March 2026 after the owner inquired about an internal expansion.
Zakaria Hassan told the board the building is about 1,092 square feet and that the site has 10 parking spaces; the board reviewed section 3024, which requires one parking space per 350 square feet and would equate to roughly three required spaces for the building size discussed. Board members asked whether outdoor uses or mechanical equipment existed; the owner said there are no fuel pumps or outdoor refrigeration and that he sells tobacco products but has no plans to sell alcohol.
Board members pressed counsel to articulate the hardship required to justify a variance. Counsel argued the building’s structure and a history of commercial uses make other conforming uses impractical and that the current retail use is consistent with the site’s historical intensity. The owner said he declined screening between his building and adjacent properties so neighbors could use the space for parking and snow removal.
After questioning and no public speakers registered in favor or opposition, the board recessed briefly to deliberate and then returned to the record. The board voted to table the request for additional information and follow-up; Secretary Amy Francis will notify the applicant which future agenda (a special meeting next week or the June meeting) will carry the item. The board did not decide the variance at this meeting.
