County's recommendation to deny Rensch Road rezoning raises Town Board eyebrows
by JESSICA L. FINCH Associate Editor

Erie County recommended denial of the Rensch Road rezoning, although in this situation the county acts only as an advisory board.

Council members Dan Ward and Bill Kindel said they can't remember a denial to a request being issued during their tenures.

Amherst Planning Director Rick Gillert agreed, stating the county has never issued a denial while he has been director.

The letter from County Deputy Commissioner of Planning and Economic Development William M. Murray was received by Town Clerk Susan Jaros late Monday.

"We have never been given the actual text of the proposed amendments to the Comprehensive Plan," Murray stated in the letter. "Therefore, the 30-day period for the County's response under 239-m of New York State General Municipal Law has not yet begun."

Upon reviewing the letter, Supervisor Satish Mohan said he took the wording as the county's denial.

The letter stated, "This letter will also serve as our specific recommendation of denial for the amendment of the Town of Amherst Comprehensive Plan."

Because Murray stated the county's request to deny the project four times in the letter, Mohan moved that the town vote on the project.

Mohan said he accepted the letter as the county's response to the issue.

A vote was taken, 6-1, to approved the rezoning, amend the master plan, and issue a negative declaration. Town Attorney Tom Jones had recommended waiting another 30 days prior to voting.

Board members said they wanted to vote on the project Monday.

After learning that this was the first time the county had denied an action, Mohan questioned why they did in this situation.

Kindel said the county doesn't supersede the town in this issue.

"We can amend the master plan as we see fit. We have done it four times legally," he said.

Board members were frustrated with the county's letter, saying it seemed odd that this request was denied.

They also questioned Murray's sentence, "Our continued objection to the project reflects the County's recognition of the University at Buffalo as a major economic driver for the region and the key role that research and development lands in close proximity to the campus serve to facilitate economic activity."