By Jill Terreri
Good morning,
Adam and Kim Weitsman's plan to locate part of their multi-million scrap metal recycling empire at the corner of Hertel and Military in North Buffalo is up for a key approval at the city Planning Board at 8:15 a.m. today. Just four of the board's seven members are expected to attend, and all of their votes are necessary for the project to be approved.
Lawyer Adam Walters, working on behalf of Niagara Metals, which operates nearby, had raised questions about the project during an earlier Planning Board meeting, and the Weitsmans' lawyer and engineer will respond to those and other concerns.
If approved, the Buffalo location of Upstate Shredding will be operated by Kim Weitsman, and will also be known as Ben Weitsman and Son of Buffalo. (Ben is Adam's grandfather. Upstate Shredding is based in Owego.)
The project is also up for consideration by the Common Council's Legislation Committee, which meets at 2 p.m. The committee will likely send it to the full Council for a vote, without recommendation of how that vote should go, said North Council Member Joseph Golombek.
Weitsman lobbyist Joel Giambra said Monday he was hopeful the project would be approved by the Planning Board today.
Also at the Planning Board this morning are plans for a 1,100 square-foot addition to the second-floor patio of Pearl Street Grill and Brewery and Rocco Termini's plans to renovate the former FWS building on Elmwood Avenue in North Buffalo into offices, apartments and retail space. Mighty Taco representatives will also be back about their proposed location at 396 Kenmore Ave.
The Council's Civil Service Committee will meet at 9:45 a.m. The Finance Committee will meet at 10 a.m., where a discussion of the city's annual financial statements is possible. The Community Development Committee will meet at 1 p.m., where Ellicott Council Member Darius Pridgen's proposal to encourage ECC to move its medical training programs to the former Sheehan Health Network property on Michigan Avenue is on the agenda. At 2 p.m., in addition to the North Buffalo scrap metal project, the annual license renewals for nearly every food store are on the agenda and will likely be discussed.
