Maple Road project doesn't fit

Once again, Benderson Development is attempting to disrupt a residential area for financial gain. The locations are 218 and 230 Maple Road. At the Town Board meeting on Sept. 4, proponents for this huge project were asking the Board to rezone this property so they can bring new stores to Amherst and give nearby University at Buffalo students "upscale shops" to spend their money. Statements concerning how this project would benefit UB students make me ask, "Since when is it the town's responsibility to provide places to shop for UB students?"

Has anyone seen a headline in any local publication stating that Amherst residents demand the town provide us with more new stores? This town is saturated with retail stores, causing traffic delays all over and the problems of additional crime that come with it. Transit Road, Niagara Falls Boulevard, Main Street and Sheridan Drive are cluttered with retail and commercial stores, and now some Town Board members are willing to do the same to Maple Road. The only hospital in our town is on Maple Road. Emergency vehicles that use Maple Road to get to the hospital will not only be delayed but also in some instances could be totally stopped, with no access to maneuver around traffic, due to a proposed raised median with trees and more traffic signals. The town hasn't even considered the effect increased traffic will have on local residential streets between Sheridan and Maple or that the intersection of Maple and North Forest will become the worst level of service possible.

We already have numerous, Benderson-owned, empty buildings in this town. The board should work with Benderson to find the right location for a project like this, such as Millersport Highway. There has to be a better location, with easier access, that will be less disruptive to OUR town.

Martin Anger

Snyder