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Master Plan must meet needs of residents
Editorial
Cheektowaga is working on a new master plan, its first since the mid- 1990s. A master plan serves as a public document that establishes a vision and policies to guide future growth and offer a strategy for longterm community needs. With some neighborhoods struggling to retain their identities, vacant retail buildings in our own "downtown" and continued sprawl surrounding us, it is vital that the town adopt a master plan that places the needs of residents first.
The town is experiencing an abundance of new construction. A bigger and better Walden Galleria is emerging, hotels are popping up like mushrooms, work on a medical campus along Harlem Road is underway and a reconstructed apartment complex will welcome college students when the $100 million project is completed.
This is all good. Construction helps create jobs and adds to the town's tax rolls. But, what of the entire community's needs, especially as it relates to quality of life issues?
Traveling along Transit Road is a nightmare and traffic is getting worse as new retail buildings are built on both the Cheektowaga and Lancaster sides of the state highway. As projects are proposed, public hearings are held in the affected town, but are residents of the neighboring town aware? Both towns may want to consider reaching out to their neighbors.
Construction changes the faces of neighborhoods. Onetime sleepy country roads have turned into bustling thoroughfares. As sprawl continues, older neighborhoods suffer with a glut of vacant homes and indifferent property owners.
How much will the town's bottom line actually benefit from new construction? Very little, most likely. Too often, new revenue burns holes in the pockets of elected officials. "Pet" projects and salary hikes- accompanied by "mandated" costs- erode the bottom line and place the financial burden on the already struggling, taxpaying, resident.
Cheektowaga is also faced with some costly yet necessary projects. First, the town is under an order from New York State to make improvements to its sanitary sewers. A 20-30-year plan is being worked on, but it will cost tens of millions of dollars. In addition, the town plans to make changes to its campus, which includes a necessary expansion and upgrade to its police and courts building, where lack of space is a major issue and, at times, a safety threat. Both of these projects will affect the town's future.
The town board, which has itself undergone drastic change during the past three years, should make residents its top priority when updating its master plan. The board currently consists of a blend of veterans and newcomers. This is where the new members have a chance to make an impact.
The two newest town board members come directly from two segments of the population who have the most at stake in the new master plan.
Stan Kaznowski is a former head of a citizens group and identifies with the financial burdens residents face every day. His personal connection to homeowners will be needed as the master plan moves forward. Charlie Markel is a small businessman. He recognizes the struggles that affect small businesses- the backbone of America- on a daily basis.
It is our hope that the town board; councilmembers Kaznowski, Markel, Jeff Swiatek, Pat Jaworowicz, Jim Rogowski and Rick Zydel along with Supervisor Mary Holtz build a master plan that will steer Cheektowaga toward a bright future, with its residents as the top priority. Anything less will be unacceptable.
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