Grand Island is one step closer to having a senior housing complex.
The Town Board voted Monday night to rezone portions of Grand Island Boulevard and Baseline Road from a mix of single family residential and central business district to high density residential.
This clears the way for Colby Development to pursue the development of 108 housing units for seniors age 55 and older on two adjoining properties bordered by Baseline Road, Grand Island Boulevard and Webb Road.
Residents of Webb Road were staunchly opposed to the project, but board members said they were confident the town and neighbors could work with the developer to coexist harmoniously.
“Our town attorney has assured us we have the ability to make sure certain conditions are met to ensure the impact to the homes behind that area is as minimal as possible,” said council member Ray Billica.
By rezoning the land for high-density residential use instead of central business district use as the developer initially sought, the board said residents are actually less likely to face disruptive commercial development. The old zoning could have allowed up to a 60,000-square-foot retail facility.
Also Monday, the town board:
• Authorized the bonding of up to $400,000 to finance trail improvements for its Scenic Woods/ Bicentennial Park project. The town has already received some funding for the project and is confident it will receive the rest by the end of the year, but is required to bond the full amount of the project.
• Authorized the bonding of $200,000 needed to buy a new street sweeper.
• Declared the Miracle League Carnival held Aug. 10 a success, announcing it raised $40,000 toward the funding of a handicap-accessible playground at Veterans Park.
email: schristmann@buffnews.com
The Town Board voted Monday night to rezone portions of Grand Island Boulevard and Baseline Road from a mix of single family residential and central business district to high density residential.
This clears the way for Colby Development to pursue the development of 108 housing units for seniors age 55 and older on two adjoining properties bordered by Baseline Road, Grand Island Boulevard and Webb Road.
Residents of Webb Road were staunchly opposed to the project, but board members said they were confident the town and neighbors could work with the developer to coexist harmoniously.
“Our town attorney has assured us we have the ability to make sure certain conditions are met to ensure the impact to the homes behind that area is as minimal as possible,” said council member Ray Billica.
By rezoning the land for high-density residential use instead of central business district use as the developer initially sought, the board said residents are actually less likely to face disruptive commercial development. The old zoning could have allowed up to a 60,000-square-foot retail facility.
Also Monday, the town board:
• Authorized the bonding of up to $400,000 to finance trail improvements for its Scenic Woods/ Bicentennial Park project. The town has already received some funding for the project and is confident it will receive the rest by the end of the year, but is required to bond the full amount of the project.
• Authorized the bonding of $200,000 needed to buy a new street sweeper.
• Declared the Miracle League Carnival held Aug. 10 a success, announcing it raised $40,000 toward the funding of a handicap-accessible playground at Veterans Park.
email: schristmann@buffnews.com