By Dawn De Busk

Staff Writer

NAPLES — Going forward, CN Brown Energy will submit a new application for its project to construct gas pumps and a small store in the same spot where there was previously a gas station.

The site plan was approved almost six months ago, but it must go before the Naples Planning Board again.

That is because last week, the Naples Zoning Board of Appeals reversed the planning board’s decision regarding the width of the entrance way.

The Town of Naples’ Driveway Entrance Ordinance requires that entrances are 40 feet wide. However, the entryway that was approved is 42 feet wide. Therefore, the planning board’s approval was reversed based on this error.  

 “CN Brown will be submitting a new application. They cannot move forward until or if and when the planning board approves the new plan,” according to Naples Town Planner Kathy Tombarelli.

Most likely, CN Brown will appear on the planning board’s agenda for March 18.

There are a couple options for CN Brown to address the Driveway Entrance Ordinance in its brand-new site plan application, according to Tombarelli.

Either, they could change the driveway width to 40 feet-wide or they could keep the 42-foot wide one and ask the planning board for a waiver, Tombarelli said.

Naples Town Attorney Amy Tchao, who was present at the Zoning board of Appeals, said the planning board has the authority to issue a waiver.