TOWN OF ORCHARD PARK
Decision on plaza walkways put off
Orchard Park Supervisor Mary Travers Murphy lost a push for improved walkways at the Quaker Crossing retail plaza Wednesday, when the board voted, 4-1, to issue a permit for a new restaurant building at the plaza.
The special-use permit was put on hold last month after Travers Murphy argued that pedestrian safety should be improved before allowing further traffic-generating development.
Landlord Gerald Buchheit has refused Metro access to private roads on the plaza. As a result, buses stop on a town road that cuts through the plaza, dropping passengers off a distance from stores.
Wednesday, board members decided to issue the permit — said to be for a Buffalo Wild Wings location — while continuing to work on pedestrian safety, including a possible walkway that would connect the bus stop to existing sidewalks.
“One has nothing to do with the other,” Councilwoman Nancy Ackerman said. Town Attorney Leonard Berkowitz said the town might face legal liability for blocking the restaurant with an unrelated issue.
Buchheit has argued that the plaza is designed for cars rather than pedestrians, a view that got traction with Town Board members.
The restaurant would be a 6,100- to 6,500-square-foot building near the plaza entrance on Amelia Drive.
Pedestrians — and bicyclists — turned out in numbers at the meeting to support a proposed rail-trail through the town, which would extend about 25 miles to West Valley in Cattaraugus County. The Buffalo & Pittsburgh Railroad has filed plans to abandon its unused rail line and tear up the tracks.
“People like trails — people like to walk, people like to bicycle,” resident Howie Holmes said. His Freeman Road home is near the rail line and adjacent to the town’s Birdsong Park nature trail, he said.
The town previously passed a resolution in favor of the trail, which is being considered by the state Department of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. But trail opponents argue that the decision was hasty and should be reconsidered.
“I don’t feel the resolution was based on real community support,” said Caroline Coppola, whose home on Highbrook Court borders the rail line. She said that 500 to 600 residents have signed petitions in opposition. Some opponents voiced concern about the potential for snowmobiling on the trail.
The majority of speakers voiced support for the trail, however, saying it would provide a safe off-road route for walking and cycling, encourage physical fitness, and draw visitors to the town.
