Knab, 81, working on new subdivision

by Donna M. Webb
Grand Island Dispatch, December 15, 2006

Albert Knab, 81, clears land in preparation for a new subdivision off Whitehaven to be called Golf Course Villas. (photo by Fred Claus)

While passing the property near the River Oaks Golf Course on Whitehaven Road recently, you may have seen an atypical site for the suburbs – an octogenarian riding on a tractor.

The man is Albert Knab, and this month he celebrated his 81st birthday. As a matter of fact, he even worked on his special day. Knab noted, “I’m putting in 40-45 hours a week now.” He starts at 7:30 a.m. and works until dusk, leveling land for a new subdivision to be called Golf Course Villas.

Even when Knab isn’t working, his free time is not idle time. “I’m a skier and a snowboarder,” he said. He will be going to Aspen, Colo., for three weeks to snowboard this winter. He has been visiting Aspen for about 30 years and just became fond of this new sport about five or six years ago. Knab is certainly an active senior, and he feels that this is what keeps him 81 years young – young enough to do work that might challenge a man half his age.

“We brought in approximately 1,000 loads of clay fill,” Knab said. “My company is doing most of the utility work. I am working for my sons and for Frank Grebenc. He owns River Oaks Golf Course. This subdivision is being put in by Frank.” Knab is referring to the company he founded, Knab Brothers Inc., which is now owned by his sons.

Knab said that Grebenc owns 200-300 acres of land around the golf course, on which the new homes will be built. There will be six parts to the subdivision; in this first phase, 25 homes will be built. “I think there are (about) 125 homes altogether – patio homes,” Knab said. The lots will be 60 feet by 125 feet. These patio homes will be anywhere from 1,300 – 2,400 square feet, he said. The sign on the property states that the price of the homes will start in the $190,000 range.

Knab said Ryan Homes are going to put up two show houses. The construction of these two model homes has been delayed, Knab said, pending approval of the utility lines.

Town Supervisor Peter McMahon explained what’s needed to go forward. “We (the town) require a utility easement for water and sewer lines which is 20 feet wide.” He then explained what that is comprised of: “We want it to be 5 feet off the curb. The law requires water and sewer (lines) to be 10 feet apart, and then we want 5 feet on the other side.”

McMahon also said that the utilities have their own rules regarding the placement of water and sewer lines. “The water and sewer (lines) are in – there is not enough space left. It is very crowded between the end of our 20 feet and the front of the houses. They don’t have enough room, according to the utilities, to put everything in.” This would include the electric, gas, phone and cable lines.

There is an easy solution, however, McMahon said. He explained that the gas lines can be put behind the homes. When the utilities work out the problems, the town can approve the project. “We cannot give them (the builders) approval for model homes until the easement issue is settled,” McMahon said.