OBSERVER Photo by M.J. Stafford Michael Metzger, engineer on Wells Enterprises’ ice cream plant expansion in Dunkirk, describes plans for a larger parking lot to the Dunkirk Planning Board.

The Dunkirk Planning Board has approved a larger parking lot for Wells Enterprises’ ice cream plant.

A significant expansion project is happening at the plant, and Wells wants a bigger parking lot across Main Street for a work force it plans to increase when the project is finished. Project engineer Michael Metzger described plans for the lot to the planning board.

Metzger noted that nearby residents have concerns about drainage. He said Wella is planning a new stormwater drainage collection system for the lot. It will be capable of “overdetaining” up to 200,000 gallons of water that will “slowly discharge into the city water system.”

Landscaping, lighting and fencing were also concerns. Metzger noted that a condition of the Dunkirk Zoning Board of Appeals variance for the project is that the lighting be “dark sky compliant.” He said he was “very confident” that would help take care of any concerns about lighting.

The engineer continued that a landscaping plan for the lot will buffer it as much as possible from residential neighbors. More chain link fencing will be added to existing barriers at the site, and a new employees-only gate with a key fob entry is also going in.

Metzger said he’s “getting the word from Iowa,” home state of Wells’ corporate headquarters, that they want the parking lot project done by summer.

According to Dunkirk Planning Board member Chris Piede, the project is “not quite doubling” the size of the lot.

The board went over the State Environmental Quality Review checklist for the project and approved a negative declaration. It also approved the site plan for the project.

The site plan was approved on condition that Wells offer a completed landscaping plan for the project, including full details on fencing.