Community Plan Committee preps for public forum
by ELIZABETH TAUFA Reporter

The Williamsville Community Plan Committee is continuing to look at the ideas members will present to the public at an upcoming forum and workshop.

At its March 26 meeting, the committee heard a recap from its consultants on concepts meant to improve various aspects of the village over the next 20 years.

Among the subjects discussed were an economic analysis of the village, transportation alternatives - particularly on Main Street - and alterations to the Mill, Main Street and Spring Street areas.

David Versel of Devonomics reviewed the village's economic situation, noting that the regional economic trends have shifted from manufacturing to services, which has "stifled growth in income, wealth and buying power."

Versel also outlined the existing real estate market conditions in the village.

"The Williamsville area is very desirable, with higher prices than the rest of the region," Versel said in his presentation. "The small size and age of units in the village has kept prices down."

The findings from the market analysis were that

+ The office market is stagnant and cannot support new development without incentives

+ Strong demand for retail space exists in the village, but space is limited

+ There is a mixed demand between regional draw for specialty shops and a neighborhood draw for dining and service

+ For the village to meet retail demand, more modern spaces with large floorplates, better pedestrian environment and access to parking and loading are needed

+ There is a strong demand for multifamily housing and a need for garaged parking

+ There is a potential for more lodging development.

The redevelopment of Main Street was also a topic of conversation between the board and consultants.

Steve Ferranti of SRF Associates spoke on the objective of making the Main Street area more pedestrian friendly, which includes making it easier for pedestrians to cross Main Street.

"Some of the priorities would be getting people across the street easier and using the parks as activity centers for the community," Ferranti said, noting that pedestrian enhancements would make for a more cohesive feel to the village, connecting parks with retail and residential areas.

Among the suggestions for how to achieve a more pedestrian friendly Main Street, Ferranti proposed the construction of bulb-outs - the widening of sidewalks at the corners so that the distance at which pedestrians cross in the crosswalks is shorter - and a potential median, which would provide pedestrian refuge when not crossing at sidewalks.

"We aren't promoting jaywalking," Ferranti said. "But it does happen."

On-street parking and the widening of sidewalks for more pedestrian traffic were also discussed.

Lawrence Bice of Behan Planning Associates spoke to the board on the area surrounding the Williamsville Water Mill and how the village could possibly use it to create a three-dimensional effect to Main Street, bringing walking traffic down toward the mill where there is a potential for park space or possible retail development.

"A goal might be to change that area into a more walkable type of character," he said, noting that street parking and trees along the street would help to facilitate that. "There's development potential there."

He also noted the need to identify "special character areas" when talking about land development and creating a balance between dynamic open space, village character and appealing living environments for the residents.

The next Community Plan Meeting will be open to the public and will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 24 at Williamsville South High School, 5950 Main St.

e-mail: etaufa@beenews.com