St. Mary's proposed expansion to take center stage tonight
by KIMBERLY M. KARCHER Clarence Editor

A public hearing on the proposed expansion of St. Mary's Church is scheduled to begin at 7:45 tonight in the Clarence Town Hall auditorium, One Town Place.

The controversial expansion has pitted members of the church, located at 6919 Transit Road, near Stahley Road, against nearby residents who oppose the project for numerous reasons, including the potential for increased traffic and fatal accidents.

The church has said it needs the 17,000-square-foot expansion to deal with its growing congregation and to better serve its members.

The Rev. Robert Yetter said the church is not commenting on the matter prior to tonight's meeting.

"We are just going to wait and give our presentation and then answer any questions that there may be," Rev. Yetter said.

Members of the Clarence Town Board took a walking tour of the proposed expansion site on Aug. 31, and Supervisor Kathy Hallock said the tour was necessary in the board's decision-making process.

"We were able to get a good feeling on the location of the building, and they had staked where the driveway would be placed, so that was helpful to get a visual of where things would be," Hallock said.

The Town Board often has resolutions accepting or denying a project prepared prior to meetings, and Hallock said she expects a decision on the proposed expansion will be made tonight unless new information is brought forth that would delay the matter.

During the public hearing, comments from supporters and opponents will be heard, but Hallock reminds residents that there is a three-minute per-person limit.

"We want everyone to have the opportunity to speak," she said.

On June 20, members of the Planning Board voted 6-1 to deny concept recommendation of the proposed expansion, stating that the project did not promote the ideas in the town's Master Plan.

Tonight's meeting begins at 7:30 p.m., following a 6 p.m. work session, both of which are open to the public.

e-mail:kkarcher@beenews.com