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Hamburg town board increases moratorium on electronic signs

HAMBURG — It took six months for the zoning code review committed to decide it needed six more months to come to finalize amendments to regulations regarding electronic variable message signs within the town of Hamburg.

Supervisor Steven Walters addressed this matter during the town’s board meeting, which was held on Wednesday, May 12, 2014. The last time the town heard about the moratorium was on Nov. 25, 2013 when a public hearing was held. Back then, the supervisor discussed the need for amendments, saying, “These amendments, among other things, will amend the location where electronic variable message signs may be allowed, set design requirements and such other regulations as may be necessary to promote and preserve the health, safety and welfare of the town of Hamburg and its citizens.”

Back then, Drew Reilly of the planning department explained, “The reason why it’s being put in place is because is that . . . the code review committee gets codes referred to them when they think they’re not working correctly in the town. A couple of clues that they’re not working correctly is that we receive a lot of variance requests for electronic signs .

“Another thing is that over the years we’ve adopted different sections of the code that refer to signage, so there’s a lot of different sections of the code that have signage requirements, and sometimes these conflict. So because we have to change all those sections and we don’t want people to keep applying for electronic variable message signs, while we’re changing these laws, we’re asking for a moratorium.”

At the May 12 meeting, Walters explained, “The town of Hamburg has seen increases in the amount of variance requests on these types of uses, and the zoning board of appeals has inquired whether amendments may be appropriate for the existing regulations, and whereas the town of Hamburg zoning board review committee and code enforcement officer have also begun reviewing various possible amendments to the existing regulations, and whereas the code sections regulating electronic variable message signs have potentially conflicting language, which may result in the existing regulations not fully achieving the goals and objectives of the town of Hamburg comprehensive plan, and whereas the zoning code review committee has recommended that the codes regulating these types of signs be amended and updated.” He went on to say that the zoning code review committed has expressed the need for additional time to update the regulations it is reviewing, recommending that the town extend the moratorium for six more months while these codes are being finalized.

The extension of the moratorium is allowed by section 5 of Local Law No. 9. The board voted in favor of the extension.

In other board matters:

– As the board has applied for a grant for the Transportation Alternatives Program, should the grant be awarded to Hamburg, the board moved to accept the grant for use “to provide sidewalks, crosswalks and related infrastructure improvements in the vicinity” of several schools, including Big Tree Elementary, Pinehurst Elementary, Frontier Middle and Cloverbank Elementary schools, all of which are in the Frontier Central School District. “The town of Hamburg will work in conjunction with the New York State Department of Transportation to provide [FCSD] with educational materials for the district to implement an educational program related to pedestrian and bicycle safety for their students,” said Councilwoman Cheryl Potter-Juda in the resolution. “The town board considers the proposed project to be worthwhile and is in full support of the project and the improvements and benefits that it will provide for the health and safety of our residents.”

According to a pamphlet provided by TAP, “[TAP] is a federal program, administer by [NYSDOT] that provides funding for projects for pedestrian and bicycle facilities, safe routes to school projects, trails, historic preservation, environmental mitigation and other infrastructure improvements to the transportation system. In general, it funds projects not generally eligible for funding through traditional transportation programs.

“This program enables funding for transportation projects to improve mobility and contribute to the revitalization of local and regional economies.”

– The town board authorized the finance department to increase its Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program revenue account by $31,162.85 “due to unanticipated CHIPS funding to be received from New York State.” In addition, the town was already set to receive $550.59 for this funding, which is designed to “support the construction and repair of highways and bridges.” This budget includes a “one-time allocation for extreme winter recovery to help with repairs due to this year’s exceptionally harsh winter.”

– Opening day for Woodlawn Beach is on Saturday, May 24, as the supervisor announced. There will be a “very large” volleyball tournament on the beach, which is being run by a private organization that is bringing in teams from different locations. “If you’re looking for something to do on that Saturday, come down,” said Walters. “We’re hoping the weather cooperates. I think we’re finally getting some nice weather, but the lake water still may be a little cool.”

– The Domestic Violence Committee is holding a Chiavetta’s chicken barbecue on June 6 at Woodlawn Beach. The drive-through pick up for meals is from 4:30 pm to 7 pm for $10. From 7 pm to 10 pm, there will be dinner, refreshments and live entertainment for $30.

– The board removed Amy McKnight from the hiring list for personnel in the buildings and grounds department, instead hiring Evan Johnston and Bruce Lakso. Highway Superintendent Tom Best said, “These are my hires, and [McKnight] interviewed very nicely. Is there some reason I should have omitted her. Can I have a reason why we’re not hiring?”

Councilman Michael Quinn answered, “[It’s] just a managerial decision . . . I believe we’ve developed a good working relationship. I believe we can talk about this later and work everything out. I think you have a great list of employees, and I think we can all move forward.” Walters abstained from voting, and the resolution passed 2-0.

The next meeting of the Hamburg town board is scheduled for June 9. The meeting will begin at 7 pm in the Hamburg Town Hall, located at 6100 South Park Avenue in Hamburg. May 26, when the next board meeting would typically be held, is Memorial Day when multiple parades and ceremonies will be conducted throughout the town. “The folks who run those parades and run those ceremonies always enjoy seeing the public show up,” said Walters.

“It’s a great way to remember the men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice defending this country and the freedoms that this country offers, so I do want to remind everyone, before you go out to the family picnics, go up to a ceremony, go out to an event. Salute the flag. Give a moment to remember those men and women.”

The next Hamburg Town Board meeting is scheduled for June 9 at 7 p.m. at the Hamburg Town Hall.
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