Public hearing raises question: are village residents anti-development?
by JILL SCHMELZER Reporter

The Village Board held a public hearing Monday to discuss rezoning the Stereo Advantage warehouse building at 56 S. Union Road from residential to commercial.

The purpose of the rezoning would be so Paul Iskalo of Iskalo Development could build a Class “A” office building at 56 and 52 S. Union with mixed use of medical and office space. The purchase of both parcels would allow Iskalo to add 31 parking spaces to the 68 pre-existing ones, totaling 99.

After Mayor Mary Lowther opened the public hearing, residents began protesting the project, which prompted resident Sean Michel to raise the question: Are village residents anti-development?

The purchase of the parcels depends on the board’s approval of the rezoning, Iskalo’s attorney, Sean Hopkins, said.

A North Union Road resident said she opposed the office building because the corner is already “jam packed” with traffic.

She said traffic is horrendous during peak hours, and she urged the board to do a traffic study of the area.

Hopkins noted that his client appeared before the Traffic and Safety Committee, and the members unanimously supported the project. He said the stipulation was that Iskalo would have to come back before the committee during the site plan phase for recommendations.

Victor Paquet of Howard Avenue said the plan was a bad idea.

Paquet, a member of the Community Plan Committee, said in the next six months the 20/20 Vision Plan will be taking an in-depth look into land use and recommended the board hold off until the recommendations could be made.

Michel then took a stand at the microphone.

“Every time someone wants anything in this village, people say ‘I don’t want the business,’” he said. “We’ve tripped over our feet, and we can’t wait for the 20/20 plan.”

He pointed out that there is already a pre-existing building in that location, which may become vacant if Iskalo doesn’t move office space into it.

“Why have one more empty parcel?” Michel said.

He asked the board to research the taxes on the property.

“I’m all for business,” Michel said. “We need it. I don’t know if the tax amount is the same or not.”

Hopkins said although he can’t guarantee it, he is confident the value of the buildings would increase and the tax assessment would rise.

Lowther said the board would vote on the rezoning at the next board meeting, which will be held at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 8 in Village Hall, 5565 Main St,. in Williamsville.

e-mail: JSchmelzer@beenews.com