Tonawanda Town, New York
Upcoming
Commission for the Conservation of the Environment - Regular
SEQR - Regular
Town Board - Regular
Zoning Board of Appeals - Regular
The Tonawanda Zoning Board of Appeals will hold hearings on four area variance requests. Three involve widening driveways beyond regulation limits, and one seeks to erect a prohibited vinyl fence that would obstruct a required vision clearance area. The board will vote on each request after hearing testimony.
- 108 Westchester Blvd: variance to widen driveway to 18 ft (limit 13 ft 4 in)
- 247 School: variance to widen driveway to 16 ft (limit 11 ft 8 in)
- 103 Ames Ave: variance to widen driveway to approx 27 ft 5 in (limit 20 ft)
- 235 Midland Ave: variance for 6-ft vinyl fence encroaching on vision clearance and using prohibited PVC
Town Board - Regular
Planning Board - Regular
Library Board - Regular
SEQR - Regular
Zoning Board of Appeals - Regular
Town Board - Regular
Commission for the Conservation of the Environment - Regular
Planning Board - Regular
Library Board - Regular
SEQR - Regular
Town Board - Regular
Zoning Board of Appeals - Regular
Town Board - Regular
Town Board - Budget - Work Session
SEQR - Regular
Planning Board - Regular
Town Board - Budget - Work Session
Town Board - Regular
Zoning Board of Appeals - Regular
Recent meetings
Planning Board - Regular
The Town of Tonawanda Planning Board will hold public hearings and discussions on several site plan reviews and special use permits. Action items include a revised phased development of 40 residential units at 4630 River Road and a special use permit for Bison Botanics at 1100 Military Road. Discussions will cover a 4,500 sq ft addition at John's Towing, a 9,000 sq ft warehouse, a 791 sq ft building expansion, and a concrete batch plant at 4885 River Road. Preliminary reviews include a Burger King and GM Project Falcon. No rezoning requests are scheduled.
- 4630 River Road – Giuseppe Holdings Phase 1: 40 residential units in 2 buildings (action)
- 1100 Military Road – Bison Botanics special use permit (action)
- 4885 River Road – Southwest Materials concrete batch plant (discussion)
- 1121 Sheridan Drive – John's Towing 4,500 sf building addition (discussion)
- 1140 Niagara Falls Boulevard – Burger King preliminary site plan review
Town Board - Regular
The Town Board will decide on a $1,046,685 HOME grant agreement with Belmont Housing Resources for Victoria Place Apartments. Other action includes approving a $151,982.97 change order for Elmwood Avenue waterline improvements, calling public hearings for a cannabis production facility at 1100 Military Road and a vehicle repair operation at 1121 Sheridan Drive, and authorizing a lease at 1460 Military Road subject to permissive referendum.
- $1,046,685 HOME Grant Agreement with Belmont Housing for Victoria Place Apartments
- $151,982.97 change order increase for Elmwood Avenue waterline improvements (Job 3116)
- Call for hearing on July 13, 2026 for cannabis production facility at 1100 Military Road
- Call for hearing on July 13, 2026 for vehicle service operation at 1121 Sheridan Drive
- Lease agreement for portion of 1460 Military Road with Integrated Quality Solutions, LLC (subject to permissive referendum)
The Town Board closed a hearing on a land use license for 4 Chaplin Drive but tabled the resolution to approve it, moving it to the July 13 meeting. The board also approved a block party on Ashford Ave, a $5,698.50 claim payment, salary increases for a legal stenographer and full-time EMTs, and several personnel actions. Minutes from the June 8 meeting were approved.
- Closed hearing on land use license for 4 Chaplin Drive (unanimous)
- Tabled resolution to approve land use license for 4 Chaplin Drive (5-0, to 7/13/26)
- Approved block party on Ashford Ave for July 31, 2026 (5-0)
- Approved $5,698.50 claim payment for Jacquelyn Phillips (5-0)
- Amended salary for Legal Stenographer from $71,601 to $81,601 (5-0)
- Amended work rules for full-time EMTs (5-0)
- Approved new hires, re-hires, changes of status, transfer, and separation (5-0)
- Approved minutes of June 8, 2026 meeting
Zoning Board of Appeals - Regular
The Tonawanda Zoning Board of Appeals will hold public hearings on four area variance requests. Applicants seek to install an air conditioning condenser in a front yard at 591 Delaware Rd, a generator in a side yard at 27 Willowbreeze Rd, a heat pump in a side yard at 230 Doncaster Rd, and a six-foot fence in a side yard at 25 Marjann Ter, where regulations require rear-yard placement or a four-foot height limit. The board will also approve minutes from the May 20, 2026 meeting.
- Area variance for AC unit in front yard at 591 Delaware Rd (Jimmie Byrd/Zenner & Ritter)
- Area variance for emergency generator in side yard at 27 Willowbreeze Rd (Jeff Carlucci/NOCO LLC)
- Area variance for heat pump condenser in side yard at 230 Doncaster Rd (Earl Farley/Zenner & Ritter)
- Area variance for six-foot fence in side yard at 25 Marjann Ter (Fred Lyn Frandina)
SEQR - Regular
Library Board - Regular
Town Board - Regular
The Town Board will hold a public hearing on a minor subdivision at 70-74 Balzac Court, then vote on whether to approve it. The board will also consider resolutions including a $2.8 million bond for public safety building improvements, approval of a fireworks display at Kenney Park, and various professional service contracts. Other items include approving a neighborhood clean-up event, block party requests, personnel changes, and an appointment to the Zoning Board of Appeals.
- Public hearing and vote on minor subdivision at 70-74 Balzac Court to split into two lots
- Resolution RES-2026-398: $2,800,000 bond for Public Safety Building improvements townwide, subject to permissive referendum
- Resolution RES-2026-405: $12,500 fireworks display by Young Explosive Corporation at Kenney Park on July 2, 2026
- Resolution RES-2026-407: Retain GHD Consulting for drinking water engineering services, cost not to exceed $50,000
- Resolution RES-2026-397: Appointment of Roseanne McMorrow as interim Chairperson of Zoning Board of Appeals
The Town Board approved a minor subdivision for 70-74 Balzac Court into two lots. The Board authorized two block party permits with open-container exemptions, approved $7,383.52 in insurance claim payments, and approved personnel actions including a salary increase for the Coordinator of Planning and Development. All measures passed on a 5-0 vote.
- Approved minor subdivision of 70-74 Balzac Court into two lots (5-0)
- Authorized neighborhood cleanup event for Sheridan Parkside Life Center (5-0)
- Approved two block party permits with open-container exemptions (5-0)
- Approved $7,383.52 in insurance claim payments for four residents (5-0)
- Approved senior day trips for August and September with costs up to $7,740 (5-0)
- Increased Coordinator of Planning and Development salary to $20,000 (5-0)
- Approved six new and temporary hires across Engineering, IT, and Police (5-0)
- Filed resignation of James Louis and 2025 Annual Financial Report (5-0)
Planning Board - Regular
The Town of Tonawanda Planning Board will consider several site plan reviews and a special use permit application. An action item is the revised phased plan for 40 residential units in two buildings at 4630 River Road. Other discussion items include a building addition for John's Towing at 1121 Sheridan Drive, a warehouse at 1530 Military Road, and a concrete batch plant at 4885 River Road.
- 4630 River Road – Giuseppe Holdings, LLC – Phase 1: 40 residential units in 2 buildings (action)
- 1121 Sheridan Drive – John’s Towing – 4,500 sf building addition (discussion)
- 1530 Military Road – 9,000 sf warehouse building (discussion)
- 4885 River Road – Southwest Materials concrete batch plant (discussion)
- 3875 River Road – Riverview Innovation & Technology Campus (discussion)
The Planning Board approved the minutes from May 6, 2026, by a 7-0 vote. Several site plan reviews were tabled due to incomplete submissions or missing information, including a 40-unit residential project at 4630 River Road. The board also held a lengthy public hearing on the proposed Riverview Innovation & Technology Campus data center at 3875 River Road, with over 400 attendees and a petition of 6,827 signatures, but took no action on that item.
- Approved minutes of May 6, 2026 (7-0)
- Tabled 1121 Sheridan Drive – John’s Towing 4,500 sf building (7-0)
- Tabled 4630 River Road – Giuseppe Holdings Phase 1, 40 residential units (7-0)
- Tabled 1530 Military Road – 7,000 sf warehouse (7-0)
- Tabled 225 Sawyer Ave – 791 sf building expansion (7-0)
- Tabled 4885 River Road – Southwest Materials concrete batch plant (7-0)
Zoning Board of Appeals - Regular
The Zoning Board of Appeals will conduct public hearings on four area variance requests for properties on University Ave, Creekside Dr, Ashford Ave, and Ellwood Ave. The board will also vote on approval of minutes from the April 15, 2026 meeting. Decisions may be issued at the hearing or postponed to the June 17, 2026 meeting.
- Area variance for Dylan Czubak & Julia Lindsay to install two AC condenser units in side yard at 412 University Ave (R-2 zone)
- Area variance for Keith Haley for four heat pump condenser units already installed in side yards at 716 Creekside Dr (R-1 zone)
- Area variance for Bryan Mecozzi to widen driveway to 27 ft at 309 Ashford Ave, exceeding the 17 ft 4 in limit (R-1 zone)
- Area variance for Alex Fernandez to allow a front-yard addition encroaching 9'10" into the 14'9" setback at 100 Ellwood Ave (R-1 zone)
Town Board - Regular
The Town Board will vote on appointing John J. Flynn as Town Supervisor, filling a vacancy for the remainder of 2026. Other decisions include appointing an interim Planning and Development director, authorizing the sale of town-owned property at 169 Sheridan Parkside Drive, approving a water rate agreement with the Village of Kenmore, and adjusting a workers' compensation insurance contract. The agenda also includes approval of block party permits, a bonfire request, and recognition of youth award recipients.
- Appointment of John J. Flynn as Town Supervisor (RES-2026-355)
- Sale of town-owned property at 169 Sheridan Parkside Drive to Sheridan Parkside Life Center (RES-2026-368)
- Water rate agreement with Village of Kenmore for July 2026 – June 2027 (RES-2026-365)
- Increase workers' compensation coverage from $340,300 to $420,300 (RES-2026-361)
- Appointment of Randy Pekarski as Interim Director of Planning and Development (RES-2026-359)
The Town Board appointed John J. Flynn as Town Supervisor effective immediately through December 31, 2026, filling the vacancy created by Joseph Emminger's resignation. The board also approved three block party requests, a bonfire permit for St. Amelia's School, and several personnel actions including an interim planning director appointment and a workers' compensation coverage increase.
- Appointed John J. Flynn as Town Supervisor (4-0, with Hennessy absent)
- Granted St. Amelia's School permission for a bonfire on May 29 (4-0)
- Approved three block party requests with open-container exemptions (4-0)
- Amended Resolution 2026-3 to set trainee salary at $7,500 annually (4-0)
- Appointed Randy Pekarski as Interim Director of Planning and Development (4-0)
- Approved separation of Jessica L. Marshall from Public Safety Dispatch (4-0)
- Increased excess workers' compensation coverage cap to $420,300 (4-0)
SEQR - Regular
Library Board - Regular
Planning Board - Regular
The Town of Tonawanda Planning Board will discuss several site plan reviews and special use permits, including the remediation and reuse of the former Tonawanda Coke Site as the Riverview Innovation & Technology Campus, a new concrete batch plant at 4885 River Road, and a cannabis production facility at 1100 Military Road. Other items include a warehouse at 1530 Military Road and a grocery store conversion at 281 Kenmore Avenue. All items are up for discussion only, with no votes expected.
- Discuss remediation and reuse of former Tonawanda Coke Site (3800-3875 River Road) as Riverview Innovation & Technology Campus
- Discuss new concrete batch plant at 4885 River Road
- Discuss cannabis production and processing facility at 1100 Military Road
- Discuss 9,000 sf warehouse building at 1530 Military Road
- Discuss conversion of vacant office space to grocery store/restaurant over 5,000 sf at 281 Kenmore Avenue
Commission for the Conservation of the Environment - Regular
Town Board - Regular
The Town Board will hold public hearings and vote on two special use permits: a grocery store larger than 5,000 square feet at 281 Kenmore Avenue (applicant Roman Romwalt) and a Verizon Wireless small cell antenna at 25 Stoneleigh Avenue. Other actions include approving an easement to Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation for electric vehicle charging stations at 2400 Elmwood Avenue, authorizing a $1,800 concert by the American Legion Band of the Tonawandas at Kenney Park, and amending a special use permit for a solar energy facility at 4635 River Road. The board also considers personnel changes, a block party request, and a shoreline improvement project.
- Public hearing and vote on special use permit for grocery store >5,000 sq ft at 281 Kenmore Avenue (Roman Romwalt)
- Public hearing and vote on Verizon Wireless small cell antenna on replacement pole adjacent to 25 Stoneleigh Avenue
- Expiration of permissive referendum for easement to Niagara Mohawk Power Corp. for EV charging stations at 2400 Elmwood Avenue
- Authorize $1,800 contract with American Legion Band of the Tonawandas for concert at Kenney Park on July 2, 2026
- Amend special use permit for AC Power 38 LLC solar energy facility at 4635 River Road
The board granted a special use permit for a grocery store larger than 5,000 square feet at 281 Kenmore Avenue, with operating hours 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM and annual review. It also approved a special use permit for a Verizon small cell antenna on a replacement pole at 25 Stoneleigh Avenue. Both projects received negative declarations under SEQRA.
- Approved Special Use Permit for grocery store at 281 Kenmore Ave (4-0)
- Issued Negative Declaration for grocery store project (4-0)
- Approved Special Use Permit for Verizon small cell antenna at 25 Stoneleigh Ave (4-0)
- Issued Negative Declaration for Verizon small cell antenna project (4-0)
- Approved minutes of April 6, 2026 board meeting
Bid Openings - Regular
Town Board - Regular
The Tonawanda Town Board will vote on calling public hearings for two special use permits: a grocery store larger than 5,000 sq ft at 281 Kenmore Ave and a 45-ft Verizon wireless pole near 25 Stoneleigh Ave. They will also note the expiration of permissive referenda for a $2M Paddock Chevrolet Golf Dome inflator replacement and a $33K Kenilworth Library ADA restroom renovation. Other actions include approving up to $88,000 for replacement computers, extending chemical and polymer contracts, and awarding a shredded topsoil bid.
- Call hearing for special use permit – grocery store >5,000 sq ft, 281 Kenmore Ave
- Call hearing for special use permit – Verizon 45-ft utility pole near 25 Stoneleigh Ave
- Expiration of permissive referendum: $2,000,000 for Paddock Chevrolet Golf Dome inflator replacement
- Expiration of permissive referendum: up to $33,000 for Kenilworth Library ADA restroom renovation
- Authorize up to $88,000 for replacement computers and accessories for all town departments
The Town Board approved a block party request for Cornwall Ave and temporary no-parking signs for a church fundraiser. Multiple personnel actions including new hires, re-hires, and status changes were adopted across several departments.
- Approved block party request for Cornwall Ave on May 23 (RES-2026-287)
- Approved temporary no-parking signs for Deerhurst Presbyterian Church fundraiser on June 20 (RES-2026-288)
- Adopted various personnel new hires, re-hires, and status changes (RES-2026-289)
- Approved change of status for John G. Simonian Jr. in the Highway Department (RES-2026-290)
Zoning Board of Appeals - Regular
The Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing on an area variance request from Daniel Figueroa and Jennifer Coffield to widen their driveway at 423 Zimmerman Blvd from the allowed 13 feet 4 inches to 16 feet. The board may render a decision tonight or at its next meeting on May 20, 2026. The rest of the agenda consists of call to order, approval of previous meeting minutes, and adjournment.
- Area variance request to widen driveway to 16 feet at 423 Zimmerman Blvd (limit is 13 ft 4 in) under Article 215-30.10e
Library Board - Regular
Bid Openings - Regular
SEQR - Regular
The committee recommended a Type I environmental declaration for the proposed data center at 3875 River Road (former Tonawanda Coke site), which would trigger a full environmental impact review. They also recommended negative declarations (no significant impact) for three other projects: the Sheridan Park Living Shoreline, a grocery store at 281 Kenmore Ave, and a utility pole at 25 Stoneleigh Ave. Two items (1121 Sheridan Dr and 225 Sawyer Ave) were tabled pending additional studies.
- Approved minutes of March 11, 2026 (4-0)
- Recommended negative declaration for Sheridan Park Living Shoreline project (4-0)
- Tabled 1121 Sheridan Drive site plan review pending SWPPP and TENORM study
- Recommended negative declaration for 281 Kenmore Avenue grocery store (4-0)
- Recommended Type I action for 3875 River Road data center (4-0)
- Recommended negative declaration for 25 Stoneleigh Avenue utility pole replacement (3-0)
- Tabled 225 Sawyer Avenue site plan review pending fire access and permit proof
- Noted ongoing revisions to Zoning Law Chapter 215; lead agency solicitation pending
Bid Openings - Regular
Town Board - Regular
The Town Board will consider resolutions including a $280,000 local commitment for an outdoor fitness court supported by a $30,000 grant, up to $180,000 for sanitary sewer engineering, and $50,000 for water system engineering. Other items include an appointment to the Assessment Review Board, a three-year communications contract, and acceptance of an Environmental Commission member's resignation.
- Authorize $280,000 local match and accept $30,000 grant for an outdoor fitness court (RES-2026-261)
- Approve up to $180,000 from Sanitary Sewer Repair Reserve for wastewater engineering (RES-2026-259)
- Approve up to $50,000 from Water Improvement Capital Reserve for drinking water engineering (RES-2026-258)
- Appoint Charles Schultz to the Assessment Review Board (RES-2026-255)
- Authorize three-year agreement with Keenan Communications Group for strategic communications (RES-2026-263)
The Town Board unanimously adopted seven resolutions, all by a 4-0 vote with one member absent. They authorized a free rabies vaccination clinic and a Firefighters' Memorial Service, approved insurance claims payments totaling $10,984.66, corrected a prior resolution's per-attendee cost, appointed Charles Schultz to the Assessment Review Board, and approved numerous personnel actions including new hires, re-hires, and status changes across multiple departments.
- Authorized Erie County Health Dept. to hold free rabies vaccination clinic at Highway Dept. on May 2 (4-0)
- Approved use of Town Aquatic Center for Firefighters' Memorial Service on May 25 (4-0)
- Approved insurance claims payments totaling $10,984.66 (4-0)
- Amended Resolution 2026-193 to correct attendance cost from $60 to $80 per person (4-0)
- Appointed Charles Schultz to Assessment Review Board for one-year term through Sept 30, 2026 (4-0)
- Approved new hires, re-hires, status changes, and separations for multiple departments (4-0)
- Approved re-hire of Eddie D. Vona Jr. as Laborer A P/T in Highway Dept. (4-0)