Williamsville welcomes Behan Planning Associates for future vision of village
by JILL SCHMELZER Reporter

The Village of Williamsville hired Behan Planning Associates, LLC to take over as the consulting firm for the Community Plan Committee.

Peter j. smith company was originally hired for the task but quit in June.

Behan is a professional planning firm serving all levels of government, nonprofit organizations and the private sector.

The practice emphasizes a humanistic and comprehensive approach to resolving community development issues and advancing community development projects, according to the company's Web site.

Owner John Behan said he has previously developed proposals for the Erie County Waterfront Plan and is familiar with the area.

"I've always thought Williamsville was a gem of a village," Behan said. "So when we got a chance to work here, we jumped on it."

One of the major focuses of the project will deal with the problems on Main Street, Behan said.

"We want to make it a great street. Right now, it's almost a great street," he added.

Currently, the firm's main goal is getting everyone on the Community Plan Committee and the village as a whole moving in the same direction.

Behan said he wants to establish a vision of the future of Williamsville by mapping out years of projects. He was referring to Main Street, private investments and what future development should look like.

"We're pretty good listeners," Behan said, noting that when he and project manager Lawrence Bice discuss areas of the village that could potentially be sites for change, they want feedback from the committee members.

"I see this plan as not being a Behan Planning Associates plan but as a Williamsville plan," Behan said.

The firm has outlined a schedule for the next nine months, which is the projected scope of work to be completed.

"It's hard work to identify change in a place where you have such history and a strong community," Behan said.

He noted that he does not expect 100 percent agreement on the final draft, but he will present a plan that most people agree should be the future appearance of the village.

The committee will meet with David Versel of Devonomics to discuss the business community at the next meeting, which will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 28 in Village Hall, 5565 Main St.

Versel is an economic development specialist who will work with business owners to move into the future, at the same time keeping the area a pleasant place to live.

During future meetings, Steve Ferranti of SRF Associates will meet with committee members to discuss the traffic analysis the firm is conducting.

Also working with Behan Planning Associates is Environmental Design and Research P.C., which concentrates on landscape and building design.

Behan Planning Associates will act as head consulting firm and focus on land use, which will be a common theme at every meeting.

"We want to have this plan become known as the community's plan, and we want to see it adopted and implemented," Behan said. "A lot of good projects can come from a good plan."

He added that great things can come out of a comprehensive plan.

"I am very positive for the future of this village," Behan said, noting that thus far he enjoys working with the committee members.