Victor planning and zoning boards approved several commercial and infrastructure projects in mid-January but delayed action on some of the town’s most closely watched proposals, including a cannabis dispensary at Eastview Mall and multiple residential developments.
Across meetings held Jan. 13 and Jan. 20, the Planning Board and zoning officials moved forward on routine approvals while spending extended time debating how strictly previously granted conditions should be enforced — particularly when applicants seek changes after approvals are issued.
Planning Board clears hotel, facade work, and cell tower upgrades
At its Jan. 13 meeting, the Victor Planning Board approved a series of commercial projects while postponing or removing others from consideration.
The board granted approval for exterior facade modifications at 7275 State Route 96, allowing FarmerLED LLC to repaint part of the building and add an additional tenant entrance. The property is located in the town’s commercial/light industrial zoning district.
Members also approved a modification to an existing wireless facility at 701 High Street, authorizing AT&T Cingular Wireless to remove and replace antennas and radio equipment on a 140-foot lattice tower. No increase in tower height or ground disturbance was proposed.
One of the night’s most significant approvals involved Eastview Mall. The board issued a conditional negative declaration under state environmental review for a proposed four-story Element by Westin hotel on mall property. The project calls for a 123-room hotel built on an existing paved parking area between JCPenney and the former Lord & Taylor building.
Several high-profile applications were delayed.
The board tabled a proposal to establish a licensed adult-use cannabis dispensary inside Eastview Mall under the Good Life Collective name, pushing the application to the Jan. 27 meeting. A site plan modification request for the Thirsty Turtle restaurant along Route 96 was also tabled.
Two single-family home applications and a tree service business proposal were removed from the agenda and rescheduled for later review, while a large mixed-use development at Lehigh Place — including apartments and subdivision approvals — was removed until a future meeting.
The board did, however, acknowledge receipt of a complete sketch plan application for the Woods at Valentown project, which proposes 71 for-sale townhomes and a four-story, 100-unit apartment building on a 56-acre parcel. No formal review took place at that meeting.
ZBA approves dog training facility with conditions
At a separate meeting, zoning officials approved an area variance allowing FLX Dog to operate a daytime dog training and “dog day school” facility, following months of discussion.
The approval was contingent on several conditions, including that no dogs be kept overnight, animal waste be removed from the property and disposed of off-site, and that a longstanding reciprocal easement allowing use of adjacent parking areas remain in effect.
Board members emphasized that the approval was narrowly tailored to the applicant’s specific operation — focused on training and short-term care — and would not extend to a traditional kennel or boarding facility.
The board concluded that the unique configuration of the property, which consists of multiple tax parcels connected through a recorded easement, justified the variance and that the operation would not negatively impact nearby wetlands or surrounding properties.
Pergola lighting request sparks sharp debate
The most contentious discussion of the night centered on a request from Phoenix Mills to amend a previously granted variance to allow lighting on a pergola located at the front of the commercial plaza.
Board members repeatedly pointed to the original approval, which explicitly prohibited lighting, and expressed frustration that fixtures had been installed before authorization was sought. Although the lights were later removed following a violation notice, officials questioned whether approving the request would encourage applicants to deviate from approved plans and seek permission after the fact.
Representatives for the plaza argued that the lighting was aesthetic, non-flashing, white in color, and would operate only during normal plaza hours. They also submitted a petition with more than 200 signatures in support of the lighting, though board members noted that only a small fraction of signers were Victor residents.
Several members raised concerns about “moving the goalposts,” warning that incremental changes could undermine confidence in the approval process. Others said they struggled to identify a clear public benefit that outweighed the board’s obligation to enforce previously agreed-upon conditions.
The discussion extended late into the meeting, with officials working to narrowly define what, if anything, could be approved without opening the door to future expansions or additional variances.
No final vote on the lighting request was taken during the portion of the meeting reflected in the transcript.
More decisions ahead
Several of the projects tabled or debated during these meetings are scheduled to return later this month, setting up continued discussion around development intensity, enforcement of conditions, and how flexible the town should be when applicants seek changes after approvals are granted.
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