Southtowns Record

Planning Board Regular Meeting, Jan 7, 2026 — Minutes

Government
Town of Hamburg
Board
Planning Board
Meeting
Jan 7, 2026
Kind
Minutes
Topics
Zoning and land use, Water, sewer and drainage, Roads and traffic

Original document

Same meeting

Text · page 4 of 10

Town of Hamburg Planning Board Minutes  January 7, 2026

recommended reviewing this with the Traffic and Safety Advisory Board before the
Planning Board gives approval.

Chair Gronachan stated that she feels the Planning Department should reach out to
Traffic Safety to ask for a report on that location.

Camie Jarrell, Town Engineer, stated that her department usually does not have
comments on a two-lot subdivision. However, in general terms when a single-family
home is developed, they do ask for a drainage plan and that is reviewed before
construction starts. The Town requires that all runoff, roof leaders, sump pumps, those
types of drainage items go to an approved drainage system which is often into the
public road and storm sewer system. Often the rear yard has some kind of drainage as
well and without having the plans for the subdivision she does not know what is behind
the adjacent lots so is unsure where the drainage would go.

Chair Gronachan stated that she had been out to the location several times and she
feels that it is a tight location. If other members would agree, she would like to have the
old minutes to review and have a traffic study done before they move forward.

Member Chmura asked for clarification on the traffic study. She asked if the study
looked at the impact of the distance of the proposed driveway for the one lot, and
reiterated that the Board is not looking for a full-blown traffic study.

Chair Gronachan stated that she was correct, it is just the one driveway and
intersection.

Mr. Hopkins spoke that in terms of SEQR, it is a reduction to what was originally
approved. He had a chance to look back at the minutes and stated that there is nothing
that talks about this specific portion of the project site, and it was just shown as green
space. He feels that it is properly zoned for this use and although some do not like the
multifamily it was always part of the overall project. Secondly, there was a question
about this lot being part of the HOA. His client is open to that, and they would have to
work out the mechanics with the AG’s office.

Mr. Hopkins believes that Mr. Burke or the Russo’s have contacted the Erie County
Division of Sewage Management and they have no concern in terms of sanitary sewer
capacity. As to the question of why this can be a driveway for a multi-family project
versus a single-family project. It is a simple difference between the magnitude of traffic.
A single-family home on this lot will create much less of an adverse traffic impact. The
traffic impact for the remainder of this project has been vetted pursuant to SEQR and
there was a traffic study prepared.

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