Public hearing for proposed Hopkins Road Walgreens postponed

by JESSICA L. FINCH Associate Editor

Arista Development has postponed the date of the public hearing on the rezoning of parcels at Hopkins and Klein roads to allow for a Walgreens store.

Attorney Jeff Palumbo of Damon & Morey LLP, representing the developer, said Arista wanted to work more with adjacent neighborhoods on the proposal before a public hearing is held.

The public hearing was scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 22, and a new date has not been set.

The project could possibly need super majority approval given the submission of petition by Neil Weinberg, owner of Dash's Plaza. The petition has to be reviewed by the Assessor's Department to verify that it represents at least 20 percent of adjacent parcels.

A request for confirmation from Assessor Harry Williams was not answered prior to press time.

Karen Coia, a community leader opposing the project, said she was disappointed to hear that the public hearing was canceled.

"I speculate the developer is concerned about the organized community effort against this project," she said, adding that she had expected possibly more than 100 people to speak against the project.

Arista Development is proposing a Walgreens Pharmacy at the corner of Hopkins and Klein roads, removing the Mobil Gas Station and the building that houses Say Cheese Pizzeria, Clearfield Liquor and Vinsan Spa and Salon.

In October, Palumbo said the developer already has the retail building and gas station under contract for purchasing the parcels.

To make way for the 14,000-square-foot structure, the Amherst Town Board would have to approve the rezoning of 1.6 acres of land from motor services and neighborhood business to general business at 804 Hopkins Road and 501 and 545 West Klein Road.

The Planning Board recommended the rezoning at its October 2007 meeting.

The Mobil Gas Station had closed temporarily around the time the proposed project was announced but has since reopened.

The next board meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 22 at Amherst Town Hall, 5583 Main St., near Cayuga Road, in Williamsville. The meeting will be held one day later due to the observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Jan. 21. For information on agenda items, visit www.amherst.ny.us.