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Planning board denies Keystone Novelties’ request for fireworks tent at Bill Gray’s
Summary
The Irondequoit Planning Board unanimously denied Keystone Novelties’ request to place a temporary 20-by-40-foot fireworks tent at Bill Gray’s (4870 Culver Road) after residents and town staff raised concerns about parking loss, pedestrian safety and evening hours; the denial passed on a 4–0 roll call.
The Irondequoit Planning Board on June 22 denied an application from Keystone Novelties to install a temporary 20-ft by 40-ft tent to sell New York legal sparkling devices at Bill Gray’s, 4870 Culver Road.
The board closed public comment and, after hearing a written complaint from a resident and a formal town comment, voted 4–0 to deny PB2026-06-01. A motion to deny was made, seconded and approved in a roll call by the four members present.
Why it mattered: A resident living across the street (4883 Culver Road) asked the board to reject the application, citing public safety, liability and quality-of-life concerns. The resident’s letter read by staff said, “Our primary concern is public safety and the significant liability exposure that could result from introducing a temporary fireworks sales facility into an already congested commercial corridor,” and asked the board to either deny the request or impose substantially reduced hours and additional safeguards.
Town staff also advised caution. The town’s Director of Development told the board the operation would remove at least 10 existing parking spaces in the Bill Gray’s lot and asked that any removal of parking be subject to a full site plan review and an appropriate traffic study to confirm the area can support the change without undue burden.
Applicant response: Keystone representatives, including Charity Chrysler and William Chrysler, said safety protocols and insurance information were provided in the application packet and that the state fire marshal inspects temporary stands before sales begin. The applicant said typical staffing would be two to three people and estimated setup and removal dates (set up on the 23rd, opening on the 24th and removal around July 6–7). The applicant told the board that legal, state‑approved fireworks reduce the market for illegal products and described barriers and an inverter generator used for the tent.
Points of factual disagreement and clarification: The application’s operating hours for the July 3–5 period listed extended evening hours; during discussion the applicant stated that "New York State says we're done at 6:00," a discrepancy the board noted when weighing safety and neighborhood impacts. The town also emphasized existing signage and parking-management practices at Bill Gray’s that restrict parking to patrons and the recent use of lot attendants at peak times.
Board action and next steps: Because only four members were present, the board chair reminded applicants that a denial would bar reapplication at that same location for 12 months unless the next application is substantially different. The board voted to deny PB2026-06-01 by roll call: Blackie, Caterino, Richards and Yanosh voted in favor of denial; four members were absent. No further action on this application was taken at the meeting.
