Lewiston ZBA approves Ellicott's Center Street property shift

Feb. 1—Ellicott Development has made some progress in converting its 780 Center St. building into a completely residential complex.

The Village of Lewiston Zoning Board of Appeals granted four variances to the property this past week.

The four variances are for the following:

—Allowing 23 apartments on 2.25 acres.

—Allowing apartments between 627 square feet and 1,266 square feet in size.

—Allowing 11 apartments on the first floor.

—Allowing two-bedroom apartments.

Per the current village code, apartment density per acre is limited to eight, Ellicott Development cannot exceed 1,000 square feet in size, they shall be limited to the second story, and they are limited to one-bedroom units.

The property initially opened in fall 2021, with the 12 second-story apartment units at 85% occupancy while the first floor has had trouble finding commercial tenants.

Ellicott plans on converting the first floor into one- and two-bedroom apartment units, with 3,100 square feet of space still remaining for commercial use. The drive-thru on the building's west side would be filled in to match the existing facade, with new windows added to the north and south sides.

With the zoning board's approval, the plans go back to the village planning board, which wants to see site plans for what the site will look like. So far, Ellicott has not submitted updated plans to the village.

If the planning board approves the plans, they will go before the village board of trustees for final approval.