July 12, 2025

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“Calling a technology ‘green energy’ does not mean there are no environmental impacts. This is an issue of growing concern,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Region Administrator Josh F.W. Cook. “I am alarmed by the incidents and impacts of utility grade battery fires on first responders, specifically the professional firefighters who are exposed to horrible toxic conditions when batteries catch fire. This settlement action is a step in the right direction, but the broader battery storage fire issue requires additional attention and EPA enforcement.”

https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-orders-cleanup-following-battery-fire-gateway-energy-storage-facility-san-diego

Citizens for Responsible Zoning in West Seneca

Citizens for Responsible Zoning in West Seneca1 week ago

Apparently the Planning Board meeting is being postponed due to miscommunication in whose responsibility it is to get the Public Notice to the Official Paper.

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Citizens for Responsible Zoning in West Seneca4 weeks ago

Tonight after 3 public hearings the West Seneca Town Board denied the application to rezone 1245 Seneca Creek Road (Kloc's) by a vote of 3 to 1.

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Citizens for Responsible Zoning in West Seneca1 month ago

An ethics complaint has been filed alleging that Council Member Breidenstein should recuse himself from voting on the Kloc's rezoning in part because of his statement at the 11/24/25 meeting; "(2:24:19) But sometimes we're not in a position to publicly respond to that. (2:24:23) I think it's called the Ginsburg test where you can't comment or shouldn't comment on things that you're going to (2:24:28) actually have to vote on. (2:24:29) But there were a few individuals that didn't come, that did send communications, at least to me, (2:24:35) and I don't know about the other board members."

But then stating before the close of the public hearing stating he supports it:

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Citizens for Responsible Zoning in West Seneca2 months ago

So far the minutes of neither the West Seneca Planning Board nor the Zoning Board of Appeals have been made available as required for January, February and March 2026. The Open Meetings Law requires that they "shall be available to the public in accordance with the provisions of the freedom of information law within two weeks from the date of such meeting except that minutes taken pursuant to subdivision two of this section shall be available to the public within one week from the date of the executive session." (Public Officers Law 106(3)) The Open Meetings Law also requires an "agency in which a public body functions maintains a regularly and routinely updated website and utilizes a high speed internet connection, such minutes shall be posted on the website within two weeks from the date of such meeting except that minutes taken pursuant to subdivision two of this section shall be available to the public within one week from the date of the executive session." (Public Officers Law 106(3)). I respectfully request that you comply with this law requiring the posting of the draft minutes of all public meetings to the website within 2 weeks of the meeting.

The legislative intent of the Freedom of Information Law is:

"The legislature hereby finds that a free society is maintained when government is responsive and responsible to the public, and when the public is aware of governmental actions. The more open a government is with its citizenry, the greater the understanding and participation of the public in government."

The legislative intent of the Open Meetings Law is:

"It is essential to the maintenance of a democratic society that the public business be performed in an open and public manner and that the citizens of this state be fully aware of and able to observe the performance of public officials and attend and listen to the deliberations and decisions that go into the making of public policy. The people must be able to remain informed if they are to retain control over those who are their public servants. It is the only climate under which the commonweal will prosper and enable the governmental process to operate for the benefit of those who created it."

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Citizens for Responsible Zoning in West Seneca2 months ago

The below is from James Raymond on Kloc's:

Kloc’s. Today matters.

Today, the Town Board has a real opportunity. They can choose to take up the Kloc’s rezoning project again or they can decide to move on.

If you have not driven down East Seneca lately, you should. Neighbors who live around that property literally saved their lawn signs through the harsh winter. Those same signs are now back out lining the streets. That should tell you everything you need to know about how the people closest to this feel.

Since this project was last discussed, what has actually happened at Kloc’s?

Multiple civic and political groups have turned it into their playground.

Our Town Supervisor has spent the past two Saturday nights there and with next week’s chili cookoff it will likely be three.
Just two weeks ago, one of the most vocal online supporters of this project celebrated her birthday there alongside her husband, friends, and other political figures.

Late at night after an event, neighbors observed irresponsible behavior, including damage to a tree. Those same nights, staff associated with the venue who would be expected to manage future hotel operations were seen drinking alongside those same individuals.

This weekend, the venue hosted events serving large volumes of alcohol for local organizations.

And after these events, people drive home. These are not overnight destination stays.

In fact, no other venue in Erie County has hosted as many politically affiliated events as Kloc’s has over the past year. That matters because it shows exactly how this property is being used.

Let’s be honest about what is happening. These are local gatherings where people drive in, drink, and drive home.

Meanwhile, the surrounding neighborhood deals with the noise, the traffic, and everything that comes with it.

And when neighbors speak up, they are dismissed.

The people who live around Kloc’s want nothing to do with this.

The people pushing this project live nowhere near the property
and should not be the ones driving this decision. The Town itself made that clear early on when fewer than a dozen nearby residents were even notified of these plans a year ago.

So ask yourself one simple question. How would you feel if this was your street, your home, and your property value on the line?

Especially when even the Town’s own attorney has acknowledged the potential impact to property values, and has also acknowledged that this project would create very few jobs and do little to meaningfully impact the tax base.

Here is the reality.

No matter what happens, this project is headed toward litigation.
But today, the Town Board has a choice. If they decline to move forward with the zoning change, they can save taxpayers from a long expensive legal battle.

Or they can push this forward and everyone in this Town will end up paying for it one way or another.

If a hotel is truly needed, then build it where it is already zoned for that use. Work with the Town and find a location that makes sense.

These are state employees acting like this.

It’s time for leadership.

It’s time for common sense.

Today, the Board can make that same decision.

Move on

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Citizens for Responsible Zoning in West Seneca2 months ago

Local Law 2026-6 Rezoning at 1245 Seneca Creek Road (Kloc's) is on the agenda for the March 23, 2026 Town Board meeting:

Public Portal • CivicClerk

CivicClerk events and agendas for citizens

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Citizens for responsible zoning in West Seneca

EPA Orders Cleanup Following Battery Fire at Gateway Energy Storage Facility in San Diego

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Citizens for Responsible Zoning in West Seneca