A proposal to establish a new business at 327 East Avenue hit a snag Thursday night, as residents used a public hearing to voice strong concerns regarding the potential for increased heavy truck traffic in their neighborhood. The Albion Village Planning Board met to consider a site plan application for the property, legally identified as tax map 73.11-1-50.1. While the board has begun the formal review process, the community feedback indicates a potential conflict between the proposed business operations and the character of the surrounding residential area. According to the meeting minutes, five individuals from the public attended the hearing to express their displeasure with the location. The primary source of contention appears to be the logistics of the business, specifically "tractor trailer deliveries." Residents voiced specific displeasure regarding the location of these deliveries and raised safety and nuisance concerns about large trucks accessing the site. East Avenue is a significant thoroughfare in the village, mixing local traffic with routes through the community, and neighbors worry that the frequency of semi-trucks could degrade the quality of life in the vicinity. Following the public comments, the Planning Board took procedural steps to move the review forward rather than denying the application outright. Board members made a motion to adjourn the public hearing rather than close it, scheduling a continuation of the discussion for their next regular meeting on March 12, 2026. This extension allows the applicants time to address concerns or modify their proposal, and it gives the board additional time to gather data. "We need to get a handle on the traffic flow before this moves too far," said one resident during the public portion, according to the minutes. Simultaneously, the Board moved to assert control over the environmental review of the project. In a unanimous vote, the members designated themselves as the "Lead Agency" for the State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR). As lead agency, the Village Planning Board—rather than the state or county—will be responsible for determining if the project could have a significant adverse environmental impact. This assessment will likely focus heavily on the traffic issues raised by residents. The application will now undergo a broader review. The Board unanimously approved a motion to send the site plan to the Orleans County Planning Department. County planners frequently provide advisory opinions on projects in local villages, offering an independent perspective on zoning compliance and regional impacts. The meeting was called to order at 5:00 p.m. by Chair Karen Conn, with members Samuel Robinson and Michael Massaro also present. Albion CEO Dan Strong was also in attendance. The Board moved quickly through other business, accepting the minutes from their January 8, 2025 meeting before adjourning at 5:21 p.m. The next Planning Board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 12, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. in the Village Board Room. Residents concerned about the East Avenue development will have another opportunity to speak when the public hearing reconvenes.