BY JEFF CHUDZINSKINorth Country This Week

MASSENA — The North Street Stewart’s Shops may be moving to a new home after county planners approved the project area variances for the new location. 

Stewart’s Shops is considering moving from North Main Street to a new space occupied by On A Roll Deli, at North Main and Maple Streets. 

Planning Director Jason Pfotenhauer said planners recommended approval with modifications.

The changes included dark sky compliance which  limits light pollution to protect the “natural night environment” while managing outdoor lighting. 

Some compliance standards can include top and side shields on light fixtures, warm color temperature bulbs around 3000K, dimmers and motion sensors to control when lights may turn on or off, to name a few. 

Pfotenhauer said  lighting near neighboring parcels should be directed away from them, especially those with windows facing the location. 

He said Massena Code Enforcement also requested a handful of other conditions prior to final approval. 

“Massena codes have looked at it and they identified some items that they wanted to see in the project,” he said.

Those requests included a detailed interior layout of the store, variances for signage and setbacks in accordance with village code, along with Knox Box for emergency access. 

Those requests are standard for any business in the village limits and fall in line with current village code. 

Stewart’s Shops will also need a  permit from the state Department of Transportation for access off of Maple Street because it’s on a state highway. 

Non-binding recommendations from the county include eliminating eight parking spaces, which were originally blocked out for employees.

That would leave 12 spaces in front of the store, which Pfotenhauer said was sufficient to be in compliance with local regulations. 

Planners said eliminating the spaces would allow for additional room to store and plow snow along with a larger green space. 

The 4,500 square-foot store  will sit on 0.81 acres on 22 Maple St., 50 and 52 North Main Street. 

Six gas pumps and 21 total parking spaces are part of the plan as well, Pfotenhauer said. 

“It’s a good location, certainly for a Stewart’s. They are expanding the footprint, though. Right now, the On A Roll Deli is on one parcel. The Stewart’s Shop will be acquiring two residences,” he said.

Despite Stewart’s Shops requesting variances to extend beyond setback lines, Pfotenhauer said planners had no major concerns.. 

“All in all, some significant area variances. But, from a county-wide standpoint, not really a major concern. Local concern, I would say yes if there wasn’t going to be a fence. They are fencing the whole perimeter of it,” Pfotenhauer said.

He said that part of the site plan calls for a canopy to extend 17 feet beyond a setback but noted the perimeter fence alleviated concerns. 

Stewart’s Shops will also purchase two neighboring residences to make way for the new store with plans in the works to demolish the two structures on the parcels. 

Stewart’s Shops officials will now go before the village of Massena Planning and Zoning Boards for final approval of their plans.