Let's Go Back for Oct. 12, 2012

40 Years Ago, Oct. 18, 1972

Town Board hopeful in Nike site matter

Grand Island's Town Board, returned after their recent rip to Washington in behalf of their request for the local Nike site, held business as usual in the Town Hall Monday evening, Oct. 16, 1972.

Supervisor Griffin reported that both the town and school boards made their separate pleas for the site at a hearing conducted by the General Services Administration and at which Congressman Henry P. Smith III was present. The supervisor indicated that those present felt the site would be awarded, totally, to one or another of the several petitioners. ...

30 Years Ago, Oct. 15, 1982

Planners recommend rezoning be denied

An application to rezone 575 feet of East River Road frontage Residential 1-a to Business B-1 will be denied if the Town Board agrees with a recommendation handed down by the planning board at Monday's meeting.

After considerable discussion about the six-acre plot at 1600 East River Road, just north of the South Bridge, the planners voted against the reclassification, which would include a restaurant for which for years has operated as a non-conforming use.

According to town ordinances, a non-conforming use can be continued with certain restrictions intended to prevent expansion. ...

The planners also noted that the town master plan is based on presenting "an orderly residential overview at the southerly gateway to the Island." ... .

20 Years Ago, Oct. 16, 1992

Developers alter Isle 284-acre planned unit development

Ciminelli Development Co., in conjunction with Co-Operators Development Corp Wednesday announced revised plans in the Southpointe planned unit development proposed on 184 acres with frontage on Love, Baseline and Staley roads.

To feature retail, commercial, residential, recreational and open space, the PUD calls for gradual development of the mixed-use project over a 10 to 15-year period. Phase One would include 30 acres of property that will feature town houses, office space and a retail center.

"Environmental concerns were paramount in devising Southpointe plans, which boast that 99 percent of the 72-acre wetlands will remain intact. Spicer Creek - a primary consideration in planning - retains a 100-foot buffer on both sides to preserve wildlife habitat. The lush corridor is among the many points of pride exhibited in the plans by the developers to help preserve green space," David A. Canfield, Ciminelli project manager, said this week. ... .

10 Years Ago, Oct. 18, 2002

Hoyt announces grant for Veterans Park

The residents of Grand Island spoke, and state Assemblyman Sam Hoyt listened.

On Tuesday morning, Hoyt held a press conference at Veterans Park to announce that the Town of Grand Island will receive $50,000 in grant money for improvements to one of the Island's most popular recreational areas.

"In my opinion this park is one of the finest town parks in all of Erie County ..." Hoyt said. "What it is lacking is a high quality baseball diamond. ... With this $50,000 grant and $10,000 from the town, we will be able to provide just that."

...By providing the grant money, Hoyt is hoping that in addition to the diamond, there is a chance for enhancing recreational opportunities. ... .