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Image provided by: Guilderland Public Library
^^^^^^P^^^^^^S^^S^».,-s^S S.1s.*se*.\*w*efJrt.v.»»'tr. \'-* The Mtamonth'Enierprise™ Thursday, April 6, 2006 Officials aren't looking out for the little people To the Editor: Unfortunately for us, the Guilderland town officials-have chosen not to look out for the little people! Let me explain. Where Phebe's Florist now sits (2026 Western Ave.), it will soon us all more than a dozen times! We are not disputing this. We are disputing the fact that the restaurant, with or without the 500-square-foot expansion, is inappropriate for the property size and the surrounding neigh- borhood. Previous \local busi- Ken Runion stated that he was \surprised\ to hear that the board passed the appeal. become an Italian restaurant. My neighbors and I have gone to the mattresses to defend our neighborhood from unnecessary (and unwanted) traffic, rodents, and over-development of the property. However, after our last bout with the Guilderland Zoning Board on Wednesday, March 15, it is apparent that our town officials have chosen to turn the other cheek. It saddens me that, even with all of the factual information we put before the board, the proposal passed with flying colors. Some of the concerns we brought to the board's attention were: — The allocated parking areas for this restaurant are currently not up to code, — Every . restaurant from Route 146 to the Northway has an entrance/exit from Western Avenue. Two had alternate en- trances on side roads — Burger King and Cabernet Cafe. How- ever, not one restaurant had. its only entrance/e,xit frnrn a : reside ential,street,.directly on top of the;homes..' ••'-,,,- •, ., .; ... — Due to the heavy traffic and congestion in our surrounding area, we requested a traffic study. Despite noncompliance with the parking codes, the board added a \contingency\ clause that the parking areas needed to be brought up to code. Like that is ever going to happen. Additionally, the board stated that the New York State Depart- ment of Transportation would not approve use of the existing Western Avenue driveway into the on-site parking lot due to the congestion it would cause on Western Avenue. This is why we requested the traffic study. The board stated a traffic study \was not necessary.\ How can that be? If the DOT doesn't feel it safe to enter the property from Western Avenue, why is it safe to enter from Cornell Avenue? Explain the difference. What is most bothersome to me is that we presented letters outlining all the facts to the town supervisor, Ken Runion, and the zoning board. Yet it didn't mat- ter. Ken Runion stated that he was \surprised\ to hear that the board passed the appeal. He said that he personally did not feel it should pass. Then what hap- pened? Jan Weston, the town planner, sent a memo dated Feb. 15, 2006, outlining many of the same con- cerns as the neighborhood had. Matter of fact, she specifically stated that she was not able to reach \a comfort level with how much impact this will have on the adjacent neighborhood.\ The neighbors.and I are not opposed to growth in our town. We are opposed to over-develop- ing a residential neighborhood — our neighborhood! We get that, the property at 2026 Western Avenue is zoned \Local Business.* How could we forget? Peter Barber reminded nesses\ at this site had minimal impact to the neighborhood. How many variances can you put on one property to make it work, before you stop and say, this is too much? We cannot impress upon how much a restaurant of this magnitude will not only change the face of our quiet neighbor- hood, but also truly have an effect on our everyday lives. If there is anyone that can offer help with our situation, we would all be most appreciative! Paige D'Anna John D'Anna * Guilderland Editor's note: See related sto- Morning Tog Tarm Pre-Season Spring Sale on Our Fabulous Beef. 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