Island Dispatch, 1999-01-29

              Island DISPATCH Lady Vikes Take 2 Page 14 Big Apple Bound Page/ New Chamber Officers Page 5 .Complete Community Coverage 54 Years As the Voice of Grand Island Award Winning Newspapers January 29, 1999 20 Pages 65p Vol. 55 No. 42 (716)773-7676 | Planning Board approves Eckerd site plan by Cynthia A. Till Planning Board members, under the direction of newly appointed Chairman John Trianda, granted a site plan approval to Eckerd Pharmacy at the Monday, Jan. 25 meeting. The 11,420 square foot facility will occupy 1.876 acres on Baseline Rd. and feature a drive through pharmacy and one-hour photo development. Using studies from surrounding communities, Benderson showed that parking codes on Grand Island far exceed the national average. Additionally, plans for a drive through pharmacy will allow for 20 percent reduction in spaces, without creating inconvenience for customers. Benderson Development was granted a variance by the Zoning Board of Appeals. Planning Board members, concerned about traffic issues, suggested ways to slow traffic in an effort to create a safer environment. Benderson representatives were concerned that the use of speed bumps, although effective in slowing traffic, could discourage customers from coming to the store. The project was approved with the understanding that traffic signs would be used in parking areas, the adjoining plaza would share the entrance on Grand Island Blvd. and that building permits would not be issued until final plans were submitted to the town. In other business, the Board: • Recommended approval to Richard Brox for the rezoning of the vacant lot located at 1933 Grand Island Blvd., allowing for the building of a low density town house project with commercial frontage. Approval was based on the condition that density restrictions be filed with the deed. • Majestic Woods Subdivision on Stony Point Rd. was granted concept plan approval for 54 residential lots. Approval was based on the condition that conservation easements be filed on all individual properties. • Pending the dedication of recreational land and the defining of a flood plain area on the map cover, conditional and final plat approval was granted for Niagara River Estates, a four-lot subdivision on Ransom Rd. • Preliminary approval for West Island Estates, located on Bedell Rd., for rezoning from M-l to R-l was tabled, pending the review of SEQR results. • Site approval was granted to Teresa C. Ruth, DMV for the Animal Kingdom Veterinary Hospital located at 2725 Grand Island Blvd. • Concept plan approval of Woodbank Trails-Subdivision was tabled until resolution of park land dedication could be resolved. MACHINES RECANVASSED - Erie County Board of Elections officials came to Grand Island on Thursday to confirm election results of Tuesday's vote. From left, Maureen Kindel and Cheryl Mulholarin from the Erie County Board of Elections join Town Clerk Nancy Samrany and Councilman Dick Crawford. Center defeated by 39 scant votes by Deanne Bartha Mixed emotions were in the spotlight this week as plans for the Veterans Park Recreation & Cultural Center went down by only 39 votes in the special election held on Tuesday. Although it was emphasized that the $9 million project held no tax burden to the residents of Grand Island, voters defeated the Center 1530 to 1491. A recanvassing of the voting machines on Thursday "went perfectly," according to Town Clerk Nancy Samrany. "It (the total) was exactly as we reported." Samrany was "grateful they were willing to come out," referring to representatives of the Erie County Board of Elections. In fact, she conveyed, the town was complimented on the efficiency and accuracy of certificates maintained throughout the day. Within the final totals were absentee ballots: 35 in favor, and 55 not in favor. When the equipment was checked, the difference was 19 with 20 absentees against. Thus, the close election had exactly 39 votes tipping the results to the negative. While it was reported to the Dispatch that committee members, who spent the last three years working diligently on the project would get together next week and start refunding money, some town officials aren't yet willing to let the project fall by the wayside. Deputy Supervisor Michael Heftka confirms that the town respects the decision of the voters and suggests taking "a deep breath, collect their thoughts, and not let this die." "There could be other opportunities to present this," Heftka said. "The town board is going to investigate a more modest recreation alternative. We want to find out what people are thinking —- get a sense as to why they voted against it." Heftka also believes that there may have been some confusion as to the scope of the project. "The no votes may have been cast because of confusion," he said. "It will probably be the responsibility of the proponents to clear up as much confusion as possible. As a town board member, however, I won't let it go away." New to the VPRCC committee as of December, Jeff Stone portrayed both an understanding in the disappointment of other members, and a hope that the project will re-emerge in some way. "We wanted a clear consensus from the community," Stone said. "We're not sure we got that with the votes so close. The original members of the committee should be lauded for all the work they've Mordaunt honored for community commitment Grand Island resident Jacqueline Mordaunt was one of three people honored last Saturday at the 10th Annual All Star Night Black Tic Gala held by the Roswell Park Alliance. The event honors members of the Roswell community for their work against cancer. The theme of the event was "Celebration Under the Stars" and featured sports stars from the Buffalo Bills and Sabres as well as local media celebrities. Jackie was given the Katherine Anne Gioia Inspiration Award for her work with the Keith's Classic Memorial Golf Tournament, which has contributed almost $600,000 to the mission of the Roswell Alliance and Roswell Park Cancer Institute. Jackie and her husband Tim created Keith's Classic Memorial Golf Tournament after tragically losing their six-year-old son, Keith Brewer, to an aggressive form of Burkitts Lymphoma. Keith died for lack of an effective treatment for "Her  enthusiasm, and dedication are contagious.?? that type of cancer. As part of her therapy, Jackie pledged to help fight to eradicate the disease. "If there was any way we could prevent this from happening to another child and another family, then we would do whatever we could," said Jackie. This year will showcase the 12th Annual Keith's Classic Memorial Golf Tournament. Funds raised have gone for pediatric and breast cancer research at Roswell Park Cancer Institute. Fundraisers acknowledge that Jackie has a base of support "unlike any other we have seen in this community. What began in her living room with family and friends has mushroomed into one of the most Jacqueline Mordaunt Continued on page 5 continued on page 3