Cheektowaga · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Town of Cheektowaga public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Vehicle rust-inhibitor service at 3438 Broadway
A parcel subdivision and rezone to Motor Services would allow a 2,800-square-foot vehicle servicing building applying rust inhibitor for corrosion prevention.
McKesson Parkway Multi-Unit Residential Development
A proposal to merge two parcels and build 144 apartments — nearly double the 73 units zoning allows, with 50-foot buildings — has now been tabled three times because the applicant keeps missing meetings. The board warned it may withdraw the case if he doesn't appear in November.
Commercial Rezoning and Retail Expansion on French Road
The lot would be redistricted from Light Manufacturing to General Commercial, opening it to a wider range of commercial uses.
New retail building at 1345 Walden
A new 11,488-square-foot multi-unit retail building with on-site parking is proposed along Walden Avenue.
UTECH Waterproofing Commercial Development at 0 Broadway
An 8,000-square-foot office building and 9,000-square-foot warehouse are proposed for UTECH Waterproofing's operations and storage.
Proposed wireless telecommunications tower at 760 French Road
The committee was scheduled to review a proposed 109-foot cell tower with ground equipment on leased land. Environmental advisory input feeds the town's decision on the special use permit.
Parking reconfiguration at 2523 Walden
A tenant expansion would come with reconfigured parking areas, new parking spaces and pedestrian walkways across the site.
Commercial Expansion and Environmental Concerns at Carwell Corrosion
Carwell wants to subdivide, rezone and build a corrosion-protection service center at 3438 Broadway with zero-foot setbacks. A neighbor previously raised concerns about chemical exposure and property upkeep; the case was tabled again at the applicant's request while questions remain.
Police Department Expansion and Community Advisory Council
The board approved a $14,419.59 grant-funded drone for search-and-rescue and crash response. One resident argued the money would be better spent on proven measures like lighting and fencing.
West Herr dealership at 6700 Transit Road
West Herr wants to rezone the former Clarion Hotel site at 6700 Transit Road to build a 28,000-square-foot car dealership, paired with a related project over the line in Amherst. The hearing was continued for corrected notice; the rezone vote was pulled from the agenda.
Stiglmeier Park Casino Building Demolition
The town is moving toward demolishing the deteriorated, unused Losson Park Casino building, with a public hearing set for November 10. Grant money and a possible three-season shelter replacement are on the table.
Battery Energy Storage System Proposal at 3695 Broadway
Supervisor Nowak wants the town to finish and adopt its draft battery energy storage law quickly, as developers are pitching facilities across the region. Setbacks and fire suppression rules are the key issues.
Sanitation and Yard Waste Collection Challenges
Highway crews are catching up on missed yard-waste pickups, and the department is developing its own composting/mulching operation to save money and train operators.
Police Labor Agreement 2027-2031
A five-year contract with the police Captains and Lieutenants Association was scheduled for approval, affecting police compensation through 2031.
FY 2027 CDBG/HOME Annual Plan
The 2027 federal grant plan proposes helping seniors install grab bars and non-slip surfaces to cut 'lift assist' fire calls, which are up 13-17% a year locally. The hearing stays open through October 27.
2027 Municipal Budget and Tax Cap Override
The proposed 2027 budget carries a 9.8% tax increase, and the board adopted the tax-cap override law 5-2 to allow it. Residents — especially seniors on fixed incomes — pleaded for cuts, a pay freeze, and line-by-line spending review; the board will hold budget public hearings October 27.
Tadio Parkway Speed Limits
The board revisited lowering town speed limits from 30 to 25 mph but reached no decision. Members split on enforcement versus signage, discussed road diets, and flagged problem roads like William Street and Cleveland Drive.
Ambulance Services Code Amendment
Local Law No. 8 of 2026 would update the town code governing ambulance services and the EMS Board, following a September public hearing.
Fire Training Facility
The town is giving land off Walden Avenue to the Fire Chiefs Mutual Aid Organization for a privately funded training facility serving all ten town fire companies. Construction could start next summer, improving in-service training without costing taxpayers.
Borden Road neighbor privacy dispute
A homeowner sought to top his six-foot fence with mesh screening because, he said, a next-door neighbor has photographed and filmed his daughter and teenage grandson for two years. The board granted the variance with a condition keeping the screen 35 feet back from the street corner.
Walden Galleria Electric Vehicle Display and Test Driving
The mall can now park up to five Teslas outside near the old Sears wing for a year so shoppers can view and test-drive them on mall property. The board weighed holiday traffic and pedestrian safety against a new retail draw, and limited the permit to one year for review.
Neighborhood Traffic and Parking Regulations
Residents raised concerns about speeding and on-street parking around Living Water Fellowship during church services. Police patrols will monitor the area.
Expansion of Flock Automated License Plate Reader Cameras
Residents presented FOIL'd event logs showing former officers retained access, joke hotlists tracking co-workers, and disabled multi-factor authentication, after three officers were suspended for misusing the system to stalk a town employee. Speakers demanded the cameras come down, an independent audit, and a local ALPR law; Supervisor Nowak said the board must seriously consider the system's future in 2027.
Library roof asbestos survey concerns
Library caretaker Eric Zemborski said he can't get the asbestos survey for the upcoming roof replacement despite being told it exists, and worries about material staged near the public park while staff remain in the building.
Highway Department Equipment Purchases and Paving Schedule
With an American Rock Salt shortage looming, the supervisor asked the board to approve buying and storing 2,000 extra tons of salt on town property. New plow trucks are on back order for equipment fitting; the board must decide soon.
Veterans Day Planning and Community Events
Committee members reported on ongoing community outreach, including nursing scholarships, book donations to Willow Lodge Bingo, donations to the Be The One veteran suicide prevention program, and efforts to rename a pedestrian bridge over Route 198.
Cemetery Expansion and Sustainable Stormwater Management
Mount Calvary Cemetery is proposing a new above-ground columbarium and niche expansion using permeable pavers to reduce stormwater runoff.