Shawnee Landing agreement finalized

by Larry Austin
Niagara Wheatfield Tribune, April 19, 2007

Wheatfield Town Supervisor Timothy Demler, left, Town Attorney Robert O’Toole, and resident Sean Roberts discuss an agreement regarding the Shawnee Landing project Friday at Town Hall. (photo by Chuck and Donna Cederman)

An agreement between the town of Wheatfield, Belmont Shelter Corp. and the Church at Shawnee Landing has put an end to legal disputes regarding the town homes project.

The deal calls for permanent closure of access from Demler and Klemer roads onto the project site, and dedication of the road access from Shawnee Road by the town, Town Supervisor Tim Demler said last Friday at a news conference.

“This helps clarify the concerns that the town and the residents have had with safety and access. The church has assured us that they will be proceeding with the construction of the church building and community center within several months, and all access to the site will be to Shawnee Road, with no access to Klemer Road,” Demler explained.

The agreement ends nearly five months of acrimony regarding the project, which calls for 64 units of apartments for low-income residents.

Sean Roberts, who represented the Wheatfield Residents Action Committee at the press conference announcing the deal, said the group was pleased that access from Shawnee Landing to Klemer and Demler roads would be permanently closed, which he called a “first step in addressing concerns from town residents.”

Residents had complained about the traffic impact of the project and the safety of the outlet onto Klemer and Demler, two small country roads.

“The Wheatfield Residents Action Committee will continue to uphold our vision of giving a voice to residents’ concerns about the future direction of expansion in our town and our mission of ensuring that Wheatfield continues to be a great place to live,” Roberts said.