Big Mike’s plan receives approval

By KAYLEIGH KARUTIS, The Leader-Herald
JOHNSTOWN — The town Planning Board on Tuesday approved a site plan for the Big Mike’s food vending stand, bringing an end to about a year of negotiations.

Owner Mike McGrail was approached by town officials after building a shed on his property. McGrail said he received verbal approval from the former code enforcer.

Current Town Code Enforcer Ryan Fagan said in October McGrail needed a permit to build the shed. Fagan issued a stop-work order and fined McGrail $900.

Further investigation revealed parking as the main issue. At a November meeting, the board said the business needed 23 defined parking spaces at its North Pine Street property. McGrail has room for about six parking spots.

In March, McGrail approached the Planning Board with a plan to raze a house on the property to make room for more parking. McGrail’s final plan calls for 15 spots, which board members agreed was an acceptable amount.

The board gave the plan unanimous approval Tuesday, conditional on several small adjustments, including the lowering of a fence and the placement of parking barricades.

The approval came after a spirited 30-minute public session attended by about 50 people. Several Big Mike’s patrons addressed the board.

Fulton County Senior Planner Sean Geraghty said comments were to be focused solely on the site plan. The session immediately turned to other topics, though, prompting Geraghty to act as a moderator while a number of residents expressed frustrations.

Margaret Mary Sanders, McGrail’s sister, asked, “Where do you expect people to get the money to do this?”

Several others asked why the Planning Board was not “going after” other businesses on the road.

“You’re just going to do as you damn well please,” yelled one man, prompting scattered applause and cheers.

A number of people said other businesses on the road have more dangerous parking situations than Big Mike’s.

“Why does it take nine years to ask Mike for a site plan?” asked Wayne Platt.

“I ask you again, is this harassment?” Betty Atty said several times.

Geraghty said the hearing was not an open session to “vent” but rather to discuss specific parts of McGrail’s site plan.

After the meeting, McGrail said he is happy to put the situation behind him.

“I’m living the American dream in the town of Johnstown,” McGrail said. “I went from a trailer to a business that I’m making a decent living off of.”

He said he appreciated the support.

“I just hope this keeps anyone else from going through what I had to go through,” he said.