By Rob Owens

DARIEN CENTER - A proposal to rezone about 2.7 acres on County Line Road from low-density residential to commercial brought a packed public hearing to Darien Town Hall on Aug. 5, and several of the sharpest objections came from people who live on the Alden side of the county line.

The application, filed by John M. Zoladz around June 1, seeks a commercial designation for outdoor storage on parcel SBL 9.-1-34.21 at 0 County Line Road in the Town of Darien, Genesee County. Town records describe a roughly 300-by-396-foot tract along the Genesee-Erie county line. The Darien Planning Board reviewed the request on June 15 and recommended approval to the Town Board. Genesee County Planning also reviewed the filing. Because the proposed setback from a neighboring residential lot does not match town code, the application also needs Zoning Board of Appeals review for an area variance.

At the Aug. 5 hearing, neighbors described noise, lights, and equipment already tied to storage activity near Broadway and County Line Road. Pam Henry said her household already deals with early-morning backup alarms and light spill from property she associated with Zoladz on the Erie County side, and she asked how a commercial rezone would affect taxes. Supervisor Stephen Ferry said a change in use usually drives the issue and that the assessor determines taxable value.

Don Langiewicz objected outright. He showed the board photos and a short video, argued berms would not screen the site because of a deep dip in the land, and asked what would stop a future sale to a commercial operator if the parcel is rezoned. Rebecca Henry, speaking for her father, an Alden resident who could not attend, said her parents built their retirement home with a bedroom facing the road and that noise and lights already raise stress and traffic worries on their corner lot.

Michael Retzlaff, appearing as Zoladz's authorized agent, said the intent is outdoor storage, mainly in winter, without adding lighting for that use, and that the yard on the Erie County side is cleaned up several times a year and is not in violation in Alden. He said the applicants want to follow code and be good neighbors. Ferry noted that if the rezone is approved, a site plan review before the Planning Board would still look at lighting and related details.

The board closed the hearing at 8:40 p.m. Members said they wanted more time before voting. Ferry said the matter would return Sept. 2 at 7:30 p.m., without reopening public comment. As of Sept. 9, The Alden Echo had not yet confirmed the board's decision from that follow-up session.