Community Plan

The Community Plan Committee met with David E. Versel of Devonomics on Nov. 26 to discuss the scope of work yet to be done for the 20/20 vision of the Village of Williamsville.

Devonomics was one of the consulting firms hired by the village to develop a 20-year vision plan for Williamsville. Versel will focus on the Main Street business district.

He prepared 10 questions for the committee to look at and asked the members to provide feedback on troubled areas of the district.

The first dealt with making Main Street a "regional destination," meaning how big is the desire to make Williamsville an attraction to people from different areas?

Brian Kulpa, a member of the committee, said everything will change in the next 20 years, so making Williamsville more desirable and accessible may not be a bad thing.

However, Kate Waterman-Kulpa, also a committee member, said she would like the village to maintain its residential areas.

David Brody said he was not sure "regional destination" is the term the plan should be using, but rather "more like an old-fashioned shopping district."

The next question Versel proposed was if the committee was concerned that Williamsville would attract more national chain businesses.

Brody said he would like to implement design and zoning standards.

"If you (a national chain) want to move here, here's our rules - take it or leave it," he suggested.

The village is already home to several national chains, such as Starbucks and soon, there will be a Walgreens, Brody said, adding that the chains fit nicely with the buildings on Main Street because of the design standards implemented by the Village Board.

Versel said the committee would delve further into the issue at a later meeting.

The third question involved Williamsville's uniqueness. Are there places the committee would like the village to emulate?

Committee member Carolyn Schlifke said that currently, Main Street's appearance is not comparable to such places as Ellicottville, or Elmwood Avenue in Buffalo.

Schlifke said, in the future, she would want to set standards that return Williamsville to the way it looked in the 1800s.

Kulpa used Celebration in Disney World as an example of the ideal village to emulate, stating, "Come to Williamsville and get the real vision."

Next, Versel asked what types of cultural aspects Williamsville needs.

A public art gallery was suggested, along with greater use of the Village Meeting House, located at 5658 Main St., and a War of 1812 museum.

Brody noted that there are many salons on Main Street.

"It's not a bad thing, but all the businesses seem to cater to people with money," he said, adding that an art store may be a better solution than a gallery.

The fifth question Versel asked had the committee looking at maximum and minimum height requirements for future development and zoning codes.

Kulpa said the plan should institute a "no setback" policy.

"No village serious about historical preservation and pedestrian (accessibility) would disagree with that," he said.

Versel suggested a 15- to 20-foot maximum setback may be more practical, thus the buildings wouldn't line up next to each other.

"Design standards are an absolute must," Waterman-Kulpa said.

Versel said that was the purpose of the photographs committee members were asked to snap of areas they would like to emulate.

The members would also like to see a formal policy instituted on shared parking. Every committee member agreed on the need for enforcement, dealing with parking, signs that do not conform to village standards and houses that look out of place next to their neighbors.

The sixth question asked about transit. Should the village utilize more public bus access.

The members agreed that there wasn't much use for the transit system because of heavy traffic and lack of consistent scheduling.

The seventh question focused on parking, which is also a topic the committee will revisit.

Should the village spend the money to build a parking garage?

Versel said a ramp could cost between $3 million and $4 million, not including maintenance.

The eighth question addressed development incentives.

Versel suggested instituting a guide - "How to Build a Business in our Village." The booklet would have a list of what's acceptable and unacceptable for the businesses along Main Street.

Versel skipped question nine because of time limitations.

But question 10 asked what would be the future use of the Williamsville Water Mill, located at 56 E. Spring St.

Waterman-Kulpa said the village should take the financial loss and not turn the mill into a profitable site. Instead, it should use the historical building for cultural and civic purposes..

John Behan of Behan Planning Associates, the main planning consultant the village hired, said there are values a nonprofit organization could bring to the mill. However, the area could be developed into a profitable area that is tastefully done, preserving the outside look of the building.

There will not be a Community Plan meeting in December due to the holidays.

e-mail: JSchmelzer@beenews.com