Town board leaves zoning, cemetery special-use hearings open for 1136 Baseline Road
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Summary
The board left open two linked public hearings on a rezoning and a special-use permit for a church cemetery at 1136 Baseline Road for planning-board review. Speakers included nearby homeowners who expressed concerns about neighborhood character and traffic and supporters who said the church maintains the property.
The Grand Island Town Board on Nov. 3 left open a rezoning petition (Local Law Intro No. 3 of 2025) and a special-use permit application from Bible Fellowship Center that would allow a cemetery at 1136 Baseline Road.
The hearing notice read to the board described a requested change in zoning classification for SBL 51.13-3-12.1 from R-1D to R-1A. Multiple residents spoke during the hearing.
Steven Standard, who lives across Baseline Road, said he was not opposed to cemeteries in general but urged the board to consider the effect on neighborhood character and on property values, and he raised concerns about added funerals and procession traffic on an already-busy corridor. "Most families don't choose to live across from a cemetery," Standard said.
Robert Davidson, who lives directly south of the property, said he supports the application and described the property as well-maintained. Tio Silberg and other residents spoke in favor of allowing the church a nearby burial option. Applicant Calvin Vandermey later clarified that the proposed burying area would be behind the barn and largely out of view from the road.
Because the proposal has not yet been reviewed by the planning board, a motion was made and seconded to keep the hearing open until the planning board provides its input. Roll call: Garcia Aye; Kilmer Aye; DeGotte Aye; Marston Aye.
Next steps: the planning board will review the rezoning and special-use permit application; the town board will close the hearing and consider final action only after receiving the planning board's recommendations.