Town Board Begins Environmental Review of Transportation Project, Weighs Zoning Grant Bid

The Webster Town Board took up the environmental review of a major roadway project and weighed a bid for state grant funding to overhaul the town's zoning code during a workshop Thursday evening, June 18.

No votes were taken. The workshop, which preceded the board's regular meeting, consisted of two staff presentations and board discussion. Action on both items is expected in the coming weeks.

Transportation project enters environmental review

Leigh Anne Kimber of the Webster Economic Development Alliance and Town Engineer Keith Mortimer briefed the board on the State Environmental Quality Review process for the Webster Transportation Infrastructure Project, a set of road extensions and rehabilitations previously known as the FAST New York project.

Kimber said the project qualifies as a Type I action under state environmental law because it would disturb more than two and a half acres of land near a park, triggering the most thorough level of review. The board declared its intent to serve as lead agency for that review on June 4 and is expected to formally take on the role at its July 16 meeting.

The review will conclude with one of two findings: a negative declaration, meaning the project poses no significant environmental impact and can proceed, or a positive declaration, which would require a full environmental impact statement before construction approvals could be sought.

Kimber told the board that early investigations had turned up no wetlands and no rare plants or animals on the site, and that the State Historic Preservation Office issued a 'no effect' determination letter, finding the project would not affect historic or archaeological resources. She said the determination of significance is targeted for August 20 and pressed board members to stay engaged through a series of summer workshops.

"My greatest fear is that we get to August 20th and you're not ready to make that decision," Kimber said, asking members to review materials and bring questions to upcoming sessions.

Councilman Garrett Wagner thanked the project team for its work. "This is a very simple, in a way, project. We were just talking about it's just roads, but it's infinitely complex," he said.

Town weighs $150,000 zoning grant application

Earlier in the workshop, Director of Community Development Josh Artuso asked the board to support applying for a 2026 Consolidated Funding Application grant through the New York State Smart Growth Community Planning Program.

The town would request $150,000 to fund revisions to its zoning code that align with the comprehensive plan update now underway and expected to be adopted later this year. The grant covers up to 75 percent of project costs, leaving a local match of $37,500, which Artuso said could be met with cash or in-kind town staff time. He noted $4.8 million is available statewide, with a July 30 application deadline.

Artuso said the request builds on the town's track record with the same funding source, which previously supported Sandbar Park, the salt barn, and a $100,000 award in 2023 for the comprehensive plan update.

"Once an agency funds an initial step in a larger project and you successfully complete it on time and budget, you are significantly more likely to obtain the next round of funding," Artuso said.

Asked by board members whether the $150,000 figure was a ceiling, Artuso said he had budgeted conservatively and expected the actual cost to come in lower. He said the town would work with grant consultant J. O'Connell & Associates, Inc. to prepare a competitive application before the deadline.

What comes next

Artuso said he would return in about two weeks with a resolution authorizing the town to submit the grant application and commit to the local match. On the transportation project, the board is expected to declare itself lead agency at its July 16 meeting, with a determination of environmental significance targeted for August 20.

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