Frank Watson, standing, speaks at the Chautauqua Town Board meeting. P-J photo by Gregory Bacon

A new boat storage complex has been approved to be built in the town of Chautauqua.

During the recent town board meeting, officials unanimously approved a Special Use Permit to Ward Raynor to construct three 48-foot by 120-foot commercial storage buildings on Beech Hill Road. He is also permitted to have a drop off parking area for boats, a year-round self-storage parking area behind the buildings, and an additional parking area behind the buildings.

No mechanical work is permitted once the new buildings are up.

During the public hearing beforehand, some neighbors voiced their concerns.

One resident said she didn’t like where the boat storage buildings would be placed on the property.

Ward responded that it is his property and the spot he selected for the buildings fits within the town’s zoning code.

Code Enforcement Officer Frank Watson confirmed Ward’s comments. “Everything proposed so far is allowable. There’s no setback issues,” he said.

There were concerns about lighting on the buildings. Councilman Scott Cummings said the project should be required to have lights that aim down and don’t spill on the neighboring properties. “It won’t cost you any more,” he said to Ward.

Last month the town Zoning Board of Appeals backed the application for a Special Use Permit, giving its recommendation.

Councilman Tom Carlson said because the zoning board gave its backing, he was going to vote in favor. “The ZBA reviewed it and put forward their recommendation. I always go with their recommendations because they’re the ones that are more of an expert than I am,” he said.

The rest of the board backed the project as well, passing it unanimously.

In other business:

– Anne Golley was reappointed as town assessor.

– A public hearing was scheduled for Sept. 10 for an extension of the Point Chautauqua Water District.