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Depew board backs eight-lot subdivision; developer to replace 36-inch storm sewer and add hydrants
Summary
The Depew Planning Board voted 5-0 March 5, 2026, to recommend an eight-lot subdivision for properties at Brunswick and Conway; the developer will replace a 36-inch brick storm sewer, add two hydrants and grant public easements, and Erie County Water Authority has agreed to install hydrants subject to villages accepting maintenance fees.
The Depew Planning Board voted unanimously on March 5 to recommend that the Village Board approve an eight-lot subdivision for parcels at 0 Brunswick Road, 0 Conway Street and 66 Brunswick Road.
Kalich of engineering firm GPI, representing Legacy Lane Properties LLC, told the board the proposal would create eight buildable lots and leave one lot for an existing house. During surveying the team identified a 36-inch brick storm sewer running diagonally across the property; the proposal calls for replacing and rerouting that storm main with new pre-cast receivers and HDPE pipe and for granting public drainage easements so the village can access the line in the future.
"We are going to be replacing that in its entirety and rerouting it," Kalich said, adding the project team would use modern materials and provide easements to clean up legacy title and access issues.
The engineer also proposed two new hydrants to address a deficiency: he said existing spacing along Brunswick is about 1,000 feet between hydrants, while typical standards call for about 400 to 600 feet. The Erie County Water Authority agreed to install the hydrants but requested that both villages acknowledge and accept the annual maintenance fees; board members said such a commitment would require a village board resolution.
Board members and staff confirmed procedural steps: the applicants had concept approval and rezoning for a portion of the site, the village engineer had reviewed the subdivision maps, and final surveys and county recording would follow after municipal recommendation. The engineer said the developer intends to build the homes rather than sell lots individually.
Nearby residents raised questions during public comment. Bernard Frell (78 Brunswick Road) said several sanitary services tie into the same manhole adjacent to his driveway and asked how the realignment would affect private connections; the engineer said the replacement would run parallel to existing services, tie into a larger main and that easements and coordination with county reviewers were planned. Karen Frell asked about sidewalks (none proposed because sidewalks are not present on that side of Brunswick and existing fences/landscaping constrain space) and confirmed the plan is for eight new buildable lots rather than nine.
Member Matusac moved to recommend the subdivision; Member Soha seconded. The board conducted a roll call and voted 5-0 to carry the recommendation to the Village Board. Staff noted the village may need to prepare a resolution regarding hydrant maintenance fees when the Erie County Water Authority seeks village acceptance of annual costs.
The record shows the applicants will proceed with final survey work and county recording steps if the Village Board concurs with the planning board's recommendation.
