Cheektowaga Town meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Cheektowaga Town Board fills council vacancy, approves PILOT agreement

The Cheektowaga Town Board filled a vacant council seat and approved a tax agreement for a housing development at its Aug. 11 regular meeting and a special meeting on Aug. 17. Parvez Rahman was appointed to the Council, and the board approved a payment-in-lieu-of-taxes (PILOT) agreement with Harlem Villas Housing Development Fund Corporation.

Town Board

At the Aug. 11 regular meeting, the board approved a consent agenda that included the PILOT agreement (Resolution 2026-531) and the appointment of Parvez Rahman as Councilmember (Resolution 2026-540). The appointment passed despite objections from some members about rushing the appointment to exceed the tax cap. The board also closed a public hearing on a proposed Good Cause Eviction Law (Local Law No. 6 of 2026) without taking action.

Additional resolutions approved that night included:

• Resolution 2026-546: Hiring/termination of part-time/seasonal employees
• Resolution 2026-547: Termination of a Highway Department employee (Nicholas Birdwell Jr.)
• Resolution 2026-548: Authorize grant expenditure for police gym equipment
• Resolution 2026-549: Amendment to appointment of Board of Ethics

At a special meeting on Aug. 17, the board approved Resolution 2026-550 appointing Parvez Rahman as Councilmember and Resolution 2026-551 appointing Michael J. Full as General Crew Chief (NC/P) Sanitation. Both resolutions passed without recorded opposition.

Planning Board

On Aug. 13, the Planning Board voted 5-0 to recommend approval for six projects:

• 109-foot wireless tower at 760 French (pending public hearing)
• Micro cell facility at 535 Duke
• Micro cell facility at 32 Cloverdale
• Parcel merger at 3150 Union (pending ZBA variance)
• Zoning amendment at 6700 Transit (pending ZBA and site plan)
• Subdivision and zoning at 3438 Broadway (pending ZBA approval)

The board tabled two items: a drive-thru coffee shop at 1593 Walden (at the applicant's request) and a 144-unit housing development at 100 McKesson (pending a traffic study and ZBA approval).

Zoning Board of Appeals

On Aug. 19, the Zoning Board of Appeals reviewed pending applications for a special permit at 4 Sprucewood Drive and area variances for a 144-unit residential project at 0 & 100 McKesson Parkway. Both items remain pending. The project proposes merging two parcels totaling 6.1 acres for a density of 24 units per acre. Variances are requested for building height (50 feet vs. 35 feet max), lot area (6.1 vs. 11.6 acres required), and frontage setbacks. Decisions will be revoked if building permits are not obtained within 6 months or construction not commenced within 1 year.

Coming up

The Town Board will hold its regular meeting on Aug. 25. The agenda includes resolutions to appoint Parvez Rahman as Councilmember (Resolutions 2026-540 and 2026-550, differing in effective date), a consent agenda with a $10,082,204.70 warrant, a public hearing for a Verizon 109-foot telecom tower at 760 French Road (set for Sept. 8), and equipment purchases: a trailer-mounted leaf collector for $162,306.92, police radio equipment for $15,672.95, and a critical incident robot for $14,501.16.

The Environmental Advisory Committee will meet on Aug. 26 to review a 160-unit residential development at 100 McKesson Parkway, a subdivision at 157 Cleveland Drive, and other projects including a micro cell facility at 535 Duke Road, a zoning amendment at 6700 Transit, and a corporate office development at 3150 Union.

Cheektowaga Town Board makes no public decisions, prepares for eviction law hearing and council appointment

The Cheektowaga Town Board made no substantive decisions in the past two weeks, holding only an executive session to interview candidates for the Sanitation Department's General Foreman position. The board will take up several significant items in the coming days, including a public hearing on a proposed good cause eviction law and the appointment of a new councilmember.

Recent meetings

At a special meeting on August 3, the board entered executive session at 5:01 PM for sanitation foreman interviews, exited at 6:40 PM, and adjourned immediately after. All motions were approved unanimously, but no public business was conducted. The meeting's minutes list no decisions beyond the procedural motions.

Three other meetings occurred in the past two weeks, but their minutes have not yet been published, so all items remain pending:

• **August 10 – Board of Ethics:** Agenda included a public hearing on Local Law No. 6 of 2026, which would create a Good Cause Eviction Law for rental properties. The consent agenda contained 22 resolutions, including a payment-in-lieu-of-taxes (PILOT) agreement with Harlem Villas Housing Development Fund Corporation, an intermunicipal agreement with Buffalo for use of the police firing range, and appointments of Parvez Rahman as Councilmember and Daniel W. Gniewecki as Assistant to the Supervisor.
• **August 11 – Regular Board meeting:** The board will hold the same public hearing on the eviction law. It also will consider authorizing a PILOT agreement for a 68-unit affordable housing project on Harlem, Viola, and Creekside roads, approving $6,983,185.76 in vouchers and warrants across multiple funds, and issuing bids for roof replacements at the Senior Center (3349 Broadway) and Town Park (2600 Harlem Road).
• **August 13 – Planning Board:** The board will review a 160-unit residential building with clubhouse at 100 McKesson, a 7-Brew drive-thru coffee shop (792 sq ft) at 1593 Walden, a 55,693 sq-ft corporate office with warehouse and repair garage at 3438 Union Rd, a 109-ft wireless tower at 760 French, and a zoning amendment at 6700 Transit from M1/CM to MS-Motor Service.

Upcoming board action

The Town Board will hold a special meeting on August 17 to consider a single resolution: appointing Parvez Rahman as Councilmember, effective immediately through December 31, 2026. The agenda includes only this appointment item.

Zoning Board of Appeals

On August 19, the Zoning Board of Appeals will review two pending applications. A special permit is sought for a single-family home at 4 Sprucewood Drive (ZBA-2026-34). The board also will consider area variances for a 144-unit residential complex at 0 & 100 McKesson Parkway (ZBA-2026-45/46). The project would merge two parcels totaling 6.1 acres for a density of 24 units per acre, and requests variances for building height (50 ft vs. 35 ft max), lot area (6.1 vs. 11.6 acres required), and frontage setbacks. Decisions will be revoked if building permits are not obtained within six months or construction does not commence within one year.

Coming up

• **August 17, 6:00 PM** – Town Board special meeting (appointment of Councilmember)
• **August 19, 7:00 PM** – Zoning Board of Appeals regular meeting
• **August 24, 7:00 PM** – Town Board regular meeting (public hearing on eviction law, PILOT agreement, and other resolutions)

All meetings are open to the public. Agendas and minutes are available on the town's website.

Cheektowaga Town Board weighs Good Cause Eviction law, police advisory council; Environmental Committee reviews 160-unit housing plan

The Cheektowaga Town Board has several significant items on its recent agendas, including a proposed Good Cause Eviction law, creation of a Police Community Advisory Council, and approval of warrants totaling $4,710,623.23. However, minutes for the July 21 Traffic Safety Commission meeting and the July 28 Town Board meeting have not yet been published, so it is not possible to confirm which items were decided, how members voted, or what public comment was received. The information below reflects what was on the agendas.

Town Board — July 28 Regular Meeting

The Town Board agenda listed several public hearings and resolutions. Because minutes are not yet available, the outcomes cannot be reported.

Agenda items included:

• **Resolution 2026-490**: Establishing the Cheektowaga Police Department Community Advisory Council.
• **Local Law No. 6 of 2026**: A proposed Rental Property Good Cause Eviction Law.
• **Public hearing** on a Special Use Permit for a Verizon Wireless utility pole at 2013 Walden Avenue.
• **Public hearing** on a PILOT (payment-in-lieu-of-taxes) agreement with Harlem Villas Housing Development Fund Corporation and Harlem Villas, LLC.
• **Approval of warrants** totaling $4,710,623.23.

A PILOT agreement is a tax arrangement often used to set fixed payments for a development project instead of standard property taxes. The Harlem Villas proposal involves both a housing development fund corporation and an LLC bearing the same name.

Traffic Safety Commission — July 21

The July 21 meeting agenda overlapped with several Town Board items. Listed items included:

• Public hearing on Local Law No. 6-2026, the Good Cause Eviction law for rental properties.
• Public hearing on the PILOT agreement with Harlem Villas Housing Development Fund Corporation and Harlem Villas, LLC.
• Public hearing on a Special Use Permit for 2013 Walden Avenue.
• Resolution 2026-490 to establish the Police Community Advisory Council.
• Appointment of Daniel Griebner as Director of Information Technology and Records Management.

Again, minutes have not been published, so there is no confirmation of votes, appointments, or hearing outcomes.

Environmental Advisory Committee — July 29

The Environmental Advisory Committee agenda focused on development and telecommunications reviews at four sites:

• **100 McKesson Parkway**: Development review for 160 residential units.
• **760 French Road**: Special use permit for a 109-foot wireless tower.
• **157 Cleveland Drive**: Development review for a lot subdivision and playground.
• **3393 Union Road**: Special use permit for telecommunication tower equipment repair.

No minutes are available for this meeting, so the committee's recommendations or decisions are not yet on the record.

What this means for residents

The proposed Good Cause Eviction law, if adopted, would set rules governing when and how landlords can evict tenants in rental properties. The Police Community Advisory Council, if established, would create a civilian body to advise the police department. The 160-unit residential proposal at 100 McKesson Avenue represents a sizable housing development that would go through environmental review. Residents interested in any of these items should watch for published minutes to learn what was decided.

Coming up

No upcoming meetings are listed for the next 14 days. Residents should check the Town of Cheektowaga website for any newly scheduled meetings or rescheduled dates.

Planning Board OKs Cleveland subdivision; Town Board to weigh Good Cause Eviction law

The Cheektowaga Planning Board recommended approval of a lot subdivision at 157 Cleveland in a 4-0 vote at its July 9 regular meeting, the only formal decision recorded across five recent town meetings. Two other development proposals — a drive-thru coffee shop on Walden Avenue and a wireless tower on French Road — were tabled for further study.

Planning Board: Cleveland subdivision approved, Walden and French tabled

On July 9, the Planning Board voted 4-0 to recommend approval of a development review for a lot subdivision, parking, and playground at 157 Cleveland.

The board tabled the development review and special use permit for a 7-Brew coffee shop at 1593 Walden, pending a traffic study and a New York State Department of Transportation report.

Also tabled was the special use permit for a 109-foot wireless telecommunications tower at 760 French Road, pending a balloon study and a public hearing.

A July 8 Conservation Advisory Council meeting listed the same wireless tower and drive-thru coffee shop proposals on its agenda, but minutes have not yet been published.

Town Board: Good Cause Eviction law, PILOT, fees on agenda

The Town Board's July 13 agenda lists several resolutions, though minutes are not yet published and no votes are confirmed. Items scheduled for consideration include:

• **Resolution 2026-454**: A call for a public hearing on Local Law No. 6, which would create Chapter 195 of the Town Code, titled Rental Property – Good Cause Eviction Law.
• **Resolution 2026-453**: A call for a public hearing to authorize a PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) agreement between the Town and the Harlem Villas Housing Development Fund Corporation.
• **Resolution 2026-448**: Appointment of police officers (competitive/permanent) for the Police Department.
• **Resolution 2026-460**: A bond resolution authorizing issuance of 2026 refunding bonds.
• **Resolution 2026-461**: Adoption of a 2026 revised fee schedule for the Planning, Building, Plumbing, Fire Safety, and Neighborhood Housing & Preservation offices.

The agenda also includes a consent agenda covering 39 items such as contract awards, software maintenance, and personnel appointments. No outcomes are confirmed.

Zoning Board of Appeals: Four variance and permit applications pending

The Zoning Board of Appeals met July 15 with four items on the agenda, all listed as pending following public hearings. Minutes have not yet been published.

• **Valerie Stanek, 4 Sprucewood Drive**: Special permit to build a single-family home on a lot that is under-width and under-area.
• **Michael R. Sisti, 230 LeHavre Drive**: Area variance to enlarge a driveway 2 feet from the property line, where 5 feet is required.
• **Jacqueline Garlow, 1368 Losson Road**: Temporary permit to operate a home-based candle manufacturing business.
• **Kelly McEvoy, 158 Seton Road**: Area variance for a driveway expansion 0.5 foot from the property line.

A July 14 agenda listed the same four applications, with Stanek's item carried over as tabled item 2026-34. No decisions are confirmed in the available records.

Coming up

No upcoming meetings are listed for the next 14 days, according to the town's meeting schedule.

Cheektowaga board tables FLOCK camera expansion; planning board to weigh tower and coffee shop

The Cheektowaga Town Board voted to table Resolution 2026-342, which would have added two FLOCK cameras to the police department, during its regular meeting June 24. Councilmember Thompson made the motion, seconded by Councilmember Bakowski. The board also approved a consent agenda and several other resolutions.

Town board actions

The board approved meeting minutes from June 9, 2026, and approved 30 resolutions for transfers, warrants, and appointments. Resolutions included:

• Resolution 2026-443: Juneteenth recognition
• Resolution 2026-444: Police student interns
• Resolution 2026-445: Senior Clerk appointment
• Resolution 2026-446: Health Insurance Stop Loss Contract

No further details on these items were provided in the minutes.

Environmental Advisory Committee

The Environmental Advisory Committee held a regular meeting June 24 but took no formal decisions. Members reviewed four development projects:

• 100 McKesson Parkway: 160 residential units
• 1746 Dale: lot merger and addition
• 2013 Walden: right-of-way for a micro cell facility
• 760 French Road: telecommunications tower

The committee’s reviews are advisory only.

Coming up

• **July 9 – Planning Board**: The board will consider a special use permit for a 109-foot wireless telecommunications tower at 760 French Road, a lot subdivision and site improvements at 157 Cleveland, and a proposed 7-Brew drive-thru coffee shop (792 sq. ft., 35 stacking spaces) at 1593 Walden Avenue. All items are classified as Unlisted SEAF FEAF under SEQRA.
• **July 14 – Board (Zoning Board of Appeals)**: The board will hear four variance appeals: a tabled item from Valerie Stanek at 4 Sprucewood Drive, and new applications from Michael R. Sisti (230 LeHavre Drive), Jacqueline Garlow (1368 Losson Road), and Kelly McEvoy (158 Seton Road).
• **July 15 – Zoning Board of Appeals**: The board will decide on a special permit for Valerie Stanek to build a single-family home on an undersized lot at 4 Sprucewood Drive, an area variance for Michael R. Sisti to enlarge a driveway (requires 5-foot setback, proposes 2 feet), a temporary permit for Jacqueline Garlow to operate a home-based candle manufacturing business at 1368 Losson Road, and an area variance for Kelly McEvoy for a driveway expansion (requires 5 feet setback, proposes 0.5 foot).