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Town of Hamburg Planning Board Minutes May 20, 2026 company. This is unique because they are looking for a use variance from the Zoning Board. They are before the Planning Board first because they are going to be the lead agency and responsible for making a SEQR decision. Mr. Rogers explained that after the Applicant gets a decision from the Zoning Board, they would return to the Planning Board for a change of use and ultimately Site Plan Approval. The Town Code states that if there is a decision between the Zoning Board and the Planning Board, the Planning Board takes lead agency. Mr. Rogers recommended the Planning Board conduct a coordinated review with the DEC, if available, the owners of the railroads, and of course the Board may send it to any other agencies they deem appropriate. Mr. Rogers asked the Applicant to submit a Full Environmental Assessment Form, not just the short form which had been submitted. Town Engineer Camie Jarrell added for clarification to the Board, it looks as if the property does not have road frontage, however, there is a public right-of-way. Currently, the existing driveway that is shared zig zags throughout the public right-of-way to service both buildings on this property. The applicant is going to redo the driveway and bring it up to the new project. This would be within a public right-of-way. For consideration, the Board would be allowing a private driveway to be upgraded and used in a public right-of-way. As stated, there is already a driveway there so she can see how that would be permitted. Member Ryan asked if the Applicant would provide a HMA (Hazard Mitigation Analysis)? The Applicant responded yes, it is their intent to do that as part of the site plan approval. Member Ryan asked if the Applicant works with fire protection engineers on these types of projects. The Applicant responded yes, they typically work with a firm called ESRG, who are the leaders in the field. Member Ryan mentioned that the Applicant previously stated that once the fire has started, it is a four hour burn out. She asked for clarification, is that four hours per cell or four hours if a bunch go up in flames? How long could one expect a fire to last? The Applicant answered that the most recent fire was in Warwick, and it was a total of six hours before it went down. It is not that the batteries cannot be put out it is that they are stored in cabinets that are watertight and you cannot get water onto them. The only way to get water onto the batteries is to open the door and pull the trays out which would be putting personnel in more danger. 18