Village Master Plan approved

by Joshua Maloni
Lewiston Porter Sentinel, October 23, 2004

One down, one to go.

After months of arguments, conjecture, lawsuits, meetings and articles, Lewiston has a new Master Plan. The Village Board of Trustees listened to a presentation from engineer Mike Marino and endured more than one hour of browbeating from residents before unanimously approving the guideline Monday night.

“Our decisions were reached by consensus, not by majority vote,” trustee and Master Plan Committee chair Bill Geiben said. “We feel we’ve put together a good map.”

Marino explained what the proposed changes in the zoning map might entail.

Village Character Intact

“The first step of the Master Plan process … (was to) get a feel for what the existing land use was,” he said.

“There’s not a lot that’s really changed,” he added. “The character of the village is being maintained with this plan.”

The Master Plan does not equal or authorize rezoning. Rather, it outlines what the zoning map should look like in optimal conditions. Reviewing the current zoning map is the next major project for the Master Plan Committee, Zoning Board and trustees.

As expected, the Master Plan envisions townhouses in several districts, though not in R-1, or residential areas. So too, it was no surprise that the majority of residents in attendance Monday spoke against such buildings.

“What the hell are they going to do with townhouses?” Pearl Arrington said, as Marino spoke. “They don’t have imagination.”

What they don’t have, as yet, is specific measurements, which angered Brian Harold.

“You’re asking us to give you carte blanche,” he yelled. “Why do we need this crap here when we can’t sell what’s already been approved?”

He was kicked out of the meeting shortly thereafter.

Of course, not all of the comments were negative. Some residents are in favor of the new plan.

“We need some new housing in the village,” Ed Finkbeinar said. “We’ll be able to keep shops open.”

His wife Diane agreed, but with one condition.

“The growth is well-thought-out,” she explained. “(But) no one wants to step outside their property and see a Rite-Aid.”

“We all live in Lewiston … do you think we want a Rite-Aid on our front lawn?” trustee Ken Kenney said.

“Our vision is not for Rite-Aids,” Mayor Richard Soluri said.

Residents’ Concerns Continue

“I think the plan for townhouses is going to destroy the village,” Arthur Kelly said. “It’s a developer’s dream.”

“I gotta’ laugh when I hear all this public hearing information,” Rich Donaldson said. “I don’t know who you’re listening to, but it’s not the people.”

Arrington asked the trustees what they want out of Lewiston.

“You’re ruining a good area,” she said. “Take down the historical sign. It’s gone. Lewiston is gone.”

Jeff Williams, who served on the Master Plan Committee, and is a landlord himself, said “The more restrictive you make it, the more likely you are to take away the character of the village.”

“Any developer does not want the community overdeveloped,” he said. “The character of Lewiston will be preserved ... no one wants to run over the character of this village.”

Kathleen Harold, who has steadfastly opposed the new Master Plan, and whose husband Brian was barred from re-entering the meeting, said additional housing was unnecessary.

“I see a declining population … I don’t see why we need dense housing,” she said.

“You guys are supposed to be listening to your residents,” she continued. “I don’t want to live here.”

Harold, who has spoke of moving since the meeting, also referenced vacant stores on Center Street.

Board Reacts

“Not one (business) is vacant … due to lack of business,” trustee Terry Collesano countered, adding “We want to see this village move.

“(We) strive to keep Lewiston the way you want it kept,” he said. “This board is working for the betterment of the village.”

After concluding the public hearing, the trustees voted 5-0 to approve the Master Plan.

“I’m pleased that this is ready for ratification,” Geiben said.

This is a quality community,” Soluri said. “I think we’ve done miracles considering what’s happened in Niagara Falls.”

“I feel this committee’s done an excellent job,” he added.

Kenney said the committee did a “wonderful job” working together with the trustees to protect the village. “Give it time,” he said to the nay-sayers.

Mayor’s Thoughts

Soluri spoke with the Sentinel after the meeting, and further conveyed the boards’ feelings on the Master Plan. He spoke of how the previous administration, under Mayor Marilyn Toohey, established the Lewiston Waterfront Revitalization Plan, and began the process of obtaining grant money for the Streetscape project.

“We felt we needed to do some linkage,” Soluri said of the new Master Plan’s continuation of the previous board’s work. “Lewiston has become one of the most popular places in Western New York.”

As for the residents in opposition to the plan, he understands their point, but considers the Master Plan to be in the residents’ best interest.

“We’re not trying to hurt anyone,” he said. “We’re just trying to make it better.”

In Other Board Action

A motion to approve a facility contract for the Town of Lewiston to use the Red Brick Municipal Building gym on Saturdays at 6 p.m., from Nov. 13 through Feb. 20, 2005, was approved.

Line of the Night

When Geiben announced that more than 25,000 salmon would be shipped into Lewiston harbors, Donaldson wondered “Are they going to buy a condo?”