OBSERVER Photos by J.M. Lesinski Well Now’s Architect Dave Nardozzi addresses Dunkirk Town Hall, standing next to the plans for the proposed new urgent care center in Dunkirk.

The Dunkirk Town Board approved a public hearing for the proposed Well Now urgent care center for March 6 at 6:30 p.m. at the town hall at their regular meeting Tuesday.

“The minutes of this meeting should reflect that the planning board has submitted it’s report to the town board on the Well Now Urgent Care project,” said Town Attorney Jeffrey G. Passafaro, before the motion was passed. “The town board, under our local law, has to call and hold a public hearing, posted and published with at least 10 days notice.”

Code Enforcement Officer Ryan O. Mourer confirmed that the building was up to snuff and the planning board had approved everything necessary. “The planning board is recommending to move forward,” said Mourer. “There’s no zoning variances.”

Of the planning board’s notes, Mourer wasn’t concerned with the stipulations, and seemed ready to continue onward with development.

“There’s three stipulations (in the requirements) that are recommended,” Mourer stated. “In my opinion, the stipulations have been met. I have reviewed the documentation that they’ve provided. … Well Now did satisfy the requirements.”

The process going ahead from here may start to pick up speed quickly, as the town board plans to hold a special meeting immediately following the public hearing. “The town board, if they so choose, can hold a special meeting of the town board of the town of Dunkirk … at the conclusion of the public hearing,” said Passafaro. “Approvals have to be from both the town and the city.”

Supervisor Richard Purol then confirmed: “We can get the public hearing. And then act on it that night.”

The location for the Well Now building is planned at 3929 Vineyard Drive in Dunkirk, between Applebee’s and Dunkin’ Donuts. Well Now, which used to be called Five Star, recently changed their name, only retaining the “urgent care” ending. The name change was confirmed by Architect, Dave Nardozzi, who was present at the meeting. “Five Star is Well Now, now,” Nardozzi stated when questioned about the brand shift.

Nardozzi also gave a brief recap of the planned facility at the meeting.

“Currently what we’re presenting is still the same size, same elevations, 3,500-square-foot medical office space, urgent care space, seven patient rooms, stone veneer at the bottom with brick in the center,” said Nardozzi. “There’s reflective glass and opaque glass around the building where needed, based on the privacy of the room.”

One area of concern, entrances and exits, was also resolved between the last meeting Nardozzi had with the board and now. “In regards to the site, we have worked out with the town and the neighbors all the arrangements with the easements for entering and egressing the site,” said Nardozzi. “(Going) through the Dunkin’ Donuts entrance and exiting through the Benderson entrance.”

Mourer confirmed Nardozzi’s claim, citing his actions on the matter as well.

“The documentation they (Well Now) got me helped me to open up the egress that Dunkin’ Donuts blocked off with the orange cones,” said Mourer. “I did go there and require them to remove them with the easement…I was able to force Dunkin’ Donuts to open that back up, slight challenge there, but corporate saw that it made sense, the local level didn’t want to allow it, but corporate and I worked it out, and they had it open within six to eight hours.”

In other news, although the exact locations weren’t listed, Purol did note on behalf of the highway department that “We picked up some cold patch, weather-permitting, we’re going to start filling in (some potholes).” County Executive George Borrello was also slated to make an appearance, but had to cancel.

Mourer also reported on a call he received regarding a new building interested in coming to Bennett Road. “Got a phone call in regards to a professional building moving in on Bennett Road on the former Tabone-owned property next to JCC,” Mourer stated. “They identified themself as Chautauqua Dentistry, they just asked for some basic information.”