Village Planning Board Notes
Village Planning Board Notes
Village Planning Board sets August 10th Public Hearing for Cigar Store and Private Smoking Lounge
Plans for a new retail cigar store and private smoking lounge serving beer, wine and spirits will be aired in a public hearing August 10, 2021 at 5:30pm in the second-floor meeting room of Ellicottville Town Hall.
The Village Planning Board, during its monthly meeting this past Tuesday, July 13th, deemed the Cigar Lounge of Ellicottville LLC's special use permit application ready for a public hearing.
Applicant Bradley Hurley of Watson Road briefly described his project to be located in Suites A and B at 5 East Washington Street. According to the application he filed, one of the commercial suites will house a members-only private club where liquor will be served. The other suite will be open to the public for sales of cigars and accessories. A humidor will separate the two suites, which total almost 4,000 square feet.
Staff Planner Gary Palumbo told Planning Board members that the cigar store is permitted as a retail use in the Village Commercial 1 zone. But, the private lounge will require a public hearing and a special use permit. Private clubs, fraternal organizations and taverns receive the same treatment in the Zoning Ordinance, he added.
The proposal will need an environmental review before it is sent to the Cattaraugus County Planning Board for comments. The Planning Board must make a decision within 62 days of the public hearing.
The Board then voted to table one proposal and drop another at the request of applicants in other matters. In the first, Greg Dekdebrun will take time to explore options for a rear easement before moving ahead with a minor subdivision request at his 18 Washington Street retail location.
The second applicant, who had pursued an area variance to make improvements at a 9 Elk Street residence, decided to withdraw the project to change the design following last week's Zoning Board of Appeals public hearing.
Michelle and Craig Winters had planned to raise the foundation and improve a small addition, for expansion and upgrade of their 20-foot by 20-foot second home. The dwelling predates current regulations and is considered a nonconforming use because setbacks are shorter than the Zoning Ordinance requires. An area variance was required, but after the ZBA hearing the couple asked to table the plans and later withdrew it altogether to make changes in the design and focus on repairs.
Palumbo said the project will come back to the Planning Board in the future for approval of a site plan and architectural review.
In another matter, Palumbo invited the Moratorium Committee to meet Tuesday, July 20th at 4:00pm to hear his update on research into a possible zoning amendment concerning new accessory apartments, which are subject to an ongoing temporary moratorium. The Committee includes representatives of the Village Planning Board and the Village Board of Trustees.
Finally, the Board approved the Ava Grace ground sign permit on condition it will be illuminated from the top down. The sign is six feet in height and will be installed at the same location at 23 Jefferson Street as the previous retailer's sign.
The Village of Ellicottville Planning Board will next meet at 5:30pm on Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2021 in the Town Hall.