LAKEWOOD - The Lakewood Village Board is continuing to work on a list of restrictions for the proposed used-car lot to be located across the highway from Wal-Mart.
On Wednesday, the Village Board didn't discuss the proposed restrictions. However, a worksheet of about 12 regulations was handed to the board members for review. David Wordelmann, Lakewood mayor, said he doesn't want to make the proposed restrictions public until the village attorney, Edward P. Wright, reviews and finalizes the list. Wordelmann said the restrictions will be discussed publicly during the next meeting on Monday, Jan. 14.
Last month, the Village Board denied a special-use permit application for a used-car lot from Lawrence Spacciapolli. Spacciapolli operates Larry Spacc auto dealers. The third-generation family business, which has been in operation since 1956, has auto sales lots in Dunkirk and Westfield.
Article Photos
A picture of the proposed car lot location on Fairmount Avenue in Lakewood.
On Dec. 7, 8th Judicial District Supreme Court Justice James Dillon overturned the Lakewood Village Board's decision to deny the special-use permit. According to the court transcript, Dillon states the board couldn't deny the permit based on concerned residents. Dillon said the board will have until mid-January to produce a special-use permit for the used-car lot.
Spacciapolli had proposed to establish a used-car lot at the corner of Fairmount and Fairdale avenues. The Village Board discussed the proposal during three meetings before deciding to reject the special-use permit application. Throughout the process, each board member said they heard from several residents voicing their displeasure about the proposal for a car lot at the location, which is the former spot of Carnahans Clothing Company. One concern dealt with safety because it is a busy intersection. Another question was whether it is the best spot for a car dealership, or if maybe the land would be better suited for a different business. Board members had suggested to Spacciapolli a better location for the used-car lot maybe further west on Fairmount Avenue where other car dealerships are located.
Restrictions discussed during meetings prior to turning down the special-use permit included total number of vehicles for sale not to exceed 50; the car dealer could not use display banners, streamers, temporary signs, pennants, strobe lights or an elevated vehicle display; and one of two Fairmount Avenue entrances would be closed and an entrance on the back side of the property would be open instead.