Southtowns Record

Planning Board Regular Meeting, Jun 17, 2026 — Minutes

Government
Town of Hamburg
Board
Planning Board
Meeting
Jun 17, 2026
Kind
Minutes
Topics
Zoning and land use, Roads and traffic, Water, sewer and drainage, Parks and recreation, Housing

Original document

Same meeting

Text · page 9 of 11

Town of Hamburg Planning Board Minutes  June 17, 2026

In September 2012 (14 years ago), Ms. Tavakoli appeared before the Zoning Board of
Appeals, requesting a Use Variance for horses to be allowed which was ultimately
granted. In January 2016 (10 years ago), she appeared before the Zoning Board of
Appeals, requesting a Use Variance for business/professional office on behalf of a
potential buyer, and that variance was denied. The buyer then moved her investment to
East Aurora to pursue her plan.

Mr. Van Leaven mentioned that there has always been a rumor but on the original
drawings from the 1950’s, there is no tunnel.

Mr. Van Leaven explained that what the Applicant is looking for is the subdivision of the
property; in other words they are looking to draw property lines. The Applicant is not
planning on removing any buildings. The additions to the home were done
in 1974 which is what brings the façade to what is currently known.

Mr. Van Leaven also detailed that the proposal would only have the potential of
three additional households on a road that has around 17,000 vehicles a day. He added
that when comparing this location to Beach Road, there is a 400% higher line of sight at
this location.

Mr. Van Leaven explained that there is no intention to modify the property lines. They
are surrounded by a six (6) foot chain link fence and plants. He anticipates that there
will be a noise reduction, as there will be less noise at one time from mowing, and less
heavy machinery noise as each estate will have less to take care of and maintain. If
people were to build on the two lots, there would be less noise after they are built due to
the fact that there is less maintenance needed on a new building.

A lot of the existing landscaping has far exceeded its useful life span. Landscaping and
trees have been removed/modified over the years due to a multitude of situations
including storms, wind, invasive species, natural life span, deterioration, preference,
etc. They do not have current plans to remove trees or modify much of the landscaping,
and this subdivision preserves the majority, even if someone was to build on the two
building lots.

Mr. Van Leaven said that the smallest lot at about .67 acres would be almost double the
average lot size of Beach Avenue, and triple the average lot size on Durham Road or
Stratford Terrace.

Mr. Van Leaven believes that there will be higher property values for surrounding
neighbors, and added that statistics show that when million plus dollar houses are built
in a neighborhood, the surrounding properties increase in value. There will be better
maintenance of all structures and grounds (beautifying the property further), an increase
in tax revenue for the Town of Hamburg, and properties that are more consistent with R-

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