Featured News - Current News - Archived News - News Categories

Residents sound off about Wheatfield development

Fri, Sep 18th 2015 10:05 am

By Mike Pidanick

Growth seems to be running rampant in the Town of Wheatfield, with developments popping up all over the place. And for many residents, enough is enough.

"I'd just like to say that a lot of the reason that a lot of people moved into Wheatfield is because they liked a rural area," Wheatfield resident James Kowalski said during Monday's Town Board meeting at Wheatfield Town Hall. "But if you notice lately, there's developments everywhere. Is that the objective, to build on every available piece of land in the town? Don't you think there's enough building that we've over-built in the town?"

Kowalski was one of several residents who spoke up during the public input session during the bimonthly meeting. Developments on Audrey Way and the Bob Weaver project near Nash Road were hot topics among those who took the time to speak their minds.

"We need to stop the bad idea machine from destroying our neighborhoods all for the sake of the next million dollars," resident Sharon Downie said. "Let them find some good land somewhere else."

Taking center stage on Monday was the Weaver project, which is planned to create 23 single-family home lots at 3400 Niagara Falls Blvd. Although the Town Board and Planning Board have agreed the project is not ready to proceed, there was a motion at Monday's Town Board meeting to start the State Environmental Quality Review coordinated review process.

There was no second to that motion, however, and it was held.

"We've already discussed that the plans may change, the designs may change," Town Councilman Randy Retzlaff said. "My concern is that, I'd rather have plans finalized, what they are really proposing to us with the turnaround. ... Once it's finalized, then I'd second it. But until the plan is finalized, I have a problem with it."

The project of developer Robert Weaver has long been an issue to residents who are worried about traffic, water, trees and other issues. The town has received a subdivision application from Weaver for an area designed by Advanced Design Group Inc.

"This access road next to my lot is going to ruin my lot," said William Savery, who has lived at 7329 Nash Road for more than 30 years. "The whole neighborhood is going to be cut in half. Sometimes now I have to wait five minutes to back out of my driveway because of the traffic. Might have to wait a half-hour once they put that access (road to the new development) in."

In other news, the board unanimously approved trick-or-treating from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 31.

It was also announced that Summit Park Pharmacy representatives will be giving out flu shots at the senior center at 10 a.m. Sept. 25. Residents are asked to call to set up an appointment. 

Hometown News

View All News