Island Dispatch, 1998-12-18

              Island DISPATCH voice of Grand Island" jg — Complete community coverage] Monday NHe Madness LARGE CHEESE PIZZA 4-95 In This Issue: Last minute shopping, see page 12 & 13 December 18, 1998 24 Pages 650 (716) 773-7676 Eckerd project raises concerns by Cynthia A. Till The proposed Eckerd Drugstore was the topic of debate at the Long Range Planning Committee meeting on Thursday, Dec. 10. Discussion went around the table, allowing each member the chance to speak his/her mind concerning the project. "I think the drugstore will be a great asset to the town," said Peter McKee. "This is the first business to come along and we want to say no? The Town Center concept was built to attract business." Jim Sharpe agreed. "I think we need this business," he said. "We also need to focus on the Town Center concept and how realistic that is. Our concept is still in its infancy. We need to stop being so rigid in our laws regarding zoning. My issue is that we better let this go through and build the Town Center ... around this. We're going to lose a business the community wants otherwise." Planning Board Chairman Tom Nowak strongly opposed. "When they (Eckerd) moves into this new building, they are going to vacate the plaza location, so this is not a new business. The new building isn't bigger; they just want a building that's auto friendly. We said from day one that we don't want this little area to be car friendly, we want it to be people friendly. This absolutely and fundamentally goes against what we want for the Town Center. This totally ruins the concept. It will be the biggest obstacle to the perimeters of our Town Center. If this store goes in, then we HOW MANY SEASONS WILL CHANGE? - As the first real snow fall began to accumulate Thursday morning on the vacant property at Baseline and Grand Island Boulevard -- the site of the proposed Eckerd Drugstore -- several Island residents are wondering how much time will pass before this area will become an integral part of the Town Center. Special Use committee discusses agricultural animals 5 The Grand Island Special Use 3 Permit Committee met Tuesday to talk about the uses for such animals as horses and cattle and pigs. Changes were made to the present conditions needed for keeping equine animals in areas zoned RIA and RIB. The first change reclassifies the category as "agricultural animals" and includes, but is not limited to, horses, cows, cattle, pigs, swine, goats, sheep, ponies, mules, and donkeys. The draft includes four other conditions for keeping up to five agricultural animals: "1. The lot has a minimum width of 100 feet and a minimum lot area of two acres tor the first agricultural animal and an additional area of one acre for each additional agricultural animal. "2. The barn and grazing area is located at least 200 feet from any neighboring residence, and at least 100 feet from the applicant's personal residence. "3. The bam and grazing urea are located at least 25 feet from any side lot line. "4. Manure or other waste or excreta accumulating on such premises or in a structure shall not be kept in an unsightly or unsanitary manner, and shall be kept in such a manner and properly disposed of so as not to create odors which disturb occupants of adjoining premises." A draft of the Special Use Ordinance was reviewed and left unchanged. The Special Use Permit Committee will meet again in January to discuss communication towers and agricultural uses. NEWLY ELECTED - The Grand Island Chamber of Commerce held their Christmas party and General Elections on Tuesday at the Holiday Inn. From left, new officers are Jim Sharpe, 2nd Vice President, Jack Hugill, President, Bey Kinney, Secretary, and Diane Dinsmore, Treasurer. Missing from the photo was Ist Vice President Rod Reisdorf. For more Chamber coverage, see page 5. Absentee ballots available Town Clerk Nancy Samrany would like Grand Island residents to know that absentee ballots are now available for the special election scheduled for Jan. 26. Islanders will have a chance to vote on the referendum for Veterans Park Recreation & Cultural Center. If you expect to be out of town or are unable to travel to vote in person, your completed absentee ballot will count for you. Town Hall is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. continued on page 18