Ellicott Development plaza plan put on pause, as village calls for fulfillment of prior commitments

Ellicott Development speaking with Ace Hardware about building No. 3

By Joshua Maloni

GM/Managing Editor

The Village of Lewiston Planning Commission tabled Ellicott Development’s request to reconfigure building No. 3 of its three-structure plaza. The board, and Building Inspector/Zoning Officer Ken Candella, requested additional information as they consider changing the street-level section’s use from residential to commercial – a modification that would accommodate a retail tenant.

Last week, Niagara Frontier Publications reported Ellicott Development is considering Ace Hardware for the 1.4-acre plaza’s largest available space at 780 Center St., bordering Onondaga Street.

“We came in in 2024 to receive approval to enclose the drive-thru and put in apartments in the first floor. Since that time, that plan has been put on hold,” Ellicott Development Planning & Development Coordinator Jeremy Wassel told the Historic Preservation Commission (which meets ahead of the Planning Board) on Monday. “Recently, we have entered in discussions with a national tenant to take the whole first floor of this back building. So, we’re here to slightly modify our plans” including enclosing the drive-thru.

As part of its original plaza proposal, Ellicott Development was allowed to place retail within this section of building No. 3, and it was granted permission to include a drive-thru – perhaps for a retail/pharmacy tenant. The Buffalo-based company then pivoted and sought to add street-level living quarters similar to the ones already in place on the second floor.

In recent correspondence to the municipality, Wassel said adding additional residential rental units didn’t make financial sense. As such, his company wishes to revisit the original retail component.

On Monday, Wassel noted building No. 3 would have an electric sliding-door opening on the front side, and an overhead door on the rear section to accommodate the tenant’s deliveries.

He added, “We are not looking to make any other changes on site; all the parking and such would remain as is.”

With a request to change use back to commercial, Candella asked for an updated lot schematic “showing the parking requirements.”

“Show what we need for the apartments; show what we’re going to need for the new (retail tenant),” he added.

Ellicott Development plaza building No. 3 at 780 Center St., Lewiston.

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Planning Board Chairman Rick Haight said, “I want to see an updated site plan that indicates square-footages of building 3, uses, parking requirements.”

He also requested identification of where the rear loading area will be situated, as “I don’t want trucks backing into the overhead door and blocking the access around the building.”

Haight said, “In ’24, there was a landscaping plan that was required by the Village Board. I would like to see an updated landscaping plan, as well, for this layout – this configuration of use.”

Wassel was reminded Ellicott Development agreed to provide a gazebo and/or multiuse area within the plaza.

Planning Board member Josh Janese questioned how the addition of market-rate rental units – as first proposed in late-2023 – became cost-prohibitive, as Wassel noted in his correspondence to the village regarding the intended building use change.

“It kind of feels like an eyesore, and it kind of seems like we’re just playing around with different approvals and what we’re looking for, while we’re the ones living here and it’s an empty space,” Janese said. “As a market-rate, it should be rented. That’s the definition of market. It’s been two years, and now you’re saying it’s cost-prohibitive; and now you’re trying to pull something else and ask for us to (deal with it).”

“I can have our team look into that and give you more (details),” Wassel said.

“Is there a reason why the other items haven’t been addressed either?” Janese asked. “Like the gazebo and the shrubbery?”

“We didn’t go forward with the apartments at that time, so that’s why those items were not addressed,” Wassel said.

“Our approval last time was contingent on those items,” Janese said. “So, this isn’t a ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ – it’s an all-in or an all-out. It’s not we say ‘Yes’ and you guys say ‘No.’ That’s how I feel about it.”

Haight said, “I’m of the opinion that it’s market-driven and they originally had commercial space on the first floor. I know they asked for residential and we’re going back, and closing up the drive-thru.”

Under a new Ellicott Development plaza proposal, this drive-thru area on building No. 3 would be enclosed.

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The Planning Board acted to table the plaza proposal until it receives an updated site plan.

Prior to that, the Historic Preservation Commission did vote in favor of the plaza change, as “esthetically, they’re meeting the qualifications,” Vice Chair Peter Coppins said.

“That’s all we’re looking at is the architectural design,” Chair Loretta Frankovitch noted.

In between and following the meetings, there was more talk about the proposal.

Last weekend, social media reactions to the hardware store proposal were overwhelmingly negative, particularly as residents noted the village already has Warren’s Village Hardware.

With regard to those comments, conversation in the boardroom centered on how there is no law prohibiting the addition of a second hardware store. This village cannot dictate to whom a retail landlord offers a lease, unless there’s a super-specific prohibition like an adult entertainment establishment right next to a religious entity.

Moreover, chatter from residents who declined to be named noted there was a similar fear of commercial competition when Tim Hortons opened in this same plaza five years ago – and how that chain could impact the Orange Cat Coffee Co. and the Village Bake Shoppe. The two local merchants weathered that arrival, however, and are still in business today.