New strip club plan gains ground
As loudly as the public objected to the original proposal for a strip club in the Town of Tonawanda, the new plan is sailing along in silence.
Monday night, the Town Board agreed that Mustang Sally’s would not have a significant environmental impact on its proposed Sawyer Avenue site. Lawmakers voted, without comment, on the recommendation of the local State Environmental Quality Review Committee, which reviewed the proposal last week.
Nobody said anything during the public comment period of the board meeting, either.
Originally proposed last year for Grand Island Boulevard and under different zoning regulations, the “adult use” business met strong opposition when it came time for the Town Board to decide whether to issue the performance standards use permit required for it to open.
The permit was denied. And after a lengthy review of zoning laws, the Town Board approved new regulations last month under which Sawyer Avenue was left as the only place such businesses could locate. The special permit no longer is required.
Situated in a primarily industrial neighborhood, Sawyer Avenue stretches approximately one mile between River Road and Kenmore Avenue. The proposed site, at 300 Sawyer, meets new requirements for distances between the business and residences and public facilities.
Monday’s approval is just one step in the application process. The project will now go before the Planning Board, which will be the final step.
In other business Monday, two Dexter Terrace residents spoke against the proposed expansion of an auto repair shop on Niagara Falls Boulevard.
A public hearing was held as the board considered granting a special-use permit for Amherst Radiator, which existed before a 1998 change in zoning laws.
Carl Edholm said the business is nine feet from his property line. He complained about the building’s condition and also cited objectionable smells and noise.
“So enjoying your backyard is a hard thing to do,” Edholm said.
Another Dexter Terrace resident, Ken Emmons, said: “You would not want this eyesore in your backyard.”
But business owner David White told the board about his efforts to address the property’s appearance and impact on the neighborhood.
In the end, the board approved the permit, on which the Planning Board placed nine conditions. And lawmakers added one of their own: that White “beautify” the rear of the property.
