Ellicottville Village Planning Board Discusses Proposed Tim Horton’s

BY NICHOLAS PIRCIO

WPIG 95.7 FM

   Members of the Ellicottville Village Planning Board expressed concerns, but no opposition, to a proposed Tim Horton’s Restaurant at 48 Washington Street during Tuesday evening’s Board meeting.

   A handful of people listened and asked questions but there was no controversy.

   Chief among the concerns are traffic safety issues and the number of vehicles lining up at the drive-thru. Acting Chairman Sheila Burrell favors some sort of traffic study to help evaluate the impact the drive-thru would have on the downtown neighborhood. Her concern is that the drive-thru would create “significant” traffic flow issues.

   Burrell is not opposed to Tim Horton’s, saying this is an “allowed use” in a commercial district. That view has been expressed by many people - not just the Planning Board. She sees her job as to make sure the project is “going to work.”

   Board member Michael Painter expressed similar concerns, primarily safety issues because of increased traffic. He said if conditions set by the Board are met, the project should proceed. The building where the restaurant would go is currently vacant.

   Robert Nucherino of Arista Development did not want to speak on behalf of Tim Horton’s, whose representatives did not attend the meeting. But he does feel that “things are moving in the right direction,” noting that his company has made some changes requested by the Planning Board. Nucherino does not see the Village as being opposed to a Tim Horton’s, and that the Planning Board is “doing their job.”  Harry Weissman of Century 21 Town and Country, who is working for the buyer, said “three mom and pop businesses” have failed on that site. He knows of no solution for success other than to locate a business there capable of “generating some traffic.”

   A public hearing on the Tim Horton’s project is “still a long way off,” according to Painter. It would not be scheduled until after the Board receives results of a traffic study.

   Update: The Planning Board did not discuss the Greer Hill ski lift extension proposed by HoliMont Ski Area during Tuesday’s meeting. Burrell is waiting for additional information from HoliMont for the draft environmental impact statement. She said some information requested by the Board had not been included, so the Board is “just waiting for them.” The next step will be to schedule a public hearing to gather comments, and said the Board will ”take it from there.” Burrell is taking no position on the request by HoliMont other than to follow the zoning law, which “dictates our decisions for the most part.” The date for a public hearing depends on how quickly HoliMont supplies information requested by the Planning Board.

   The Village of Ellicottville Planning Board will meet again on Tuesday, May 13, 2008 at 5:30pm.