ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — With the new Buffalo Bills stadium project moving closer to completion, the Orchard Park Town Board may be closer to a final vote on a rezoning plan for potential development around the stadium complex.
You will find posted signs on Abbott Road across from the Bills stadium in its now final stages of construction. They refer to a rezoning application with a new approach for the now somewhat vacant area surrounding the stadium.
A public hearing and possible town board vote is set for Wednesday, December 17th on the Stadium Mixed Use Rezoning District. It includes potential uses like restaurant and retail, entertainment, hotels, offices and even apartments as suggested by town consultant Labella Associates.
It can be seen on the town’s website and was explained in public open house meetings over the spring and summer.
There may be some lingering concerns about traffic and overall neighborhood impact. As one resident put it back in June at one of those open houses. She felt town officials were “Piece mealing that re-zoning so that at a little bit of a time it’s going from residential to commercial.”
Town Supervisor Elect/Councilman Joe Liberti told us Tuesday, “We’ve taken into account all the community concerns. Like they’re worried about traffic, noise. But the big thing for us is really to preserve the neighborhood – that character.”
Perhaps the neighborhood character factor could be protected and preserved by following the “Titletown” model. As 2 On Your Side saw in September, right adjacent to the Green Bay Packers’ Lambeau Field, there is a complex which does blend retail, restaurants, hotels, offices, housing, and even a playground, football field, and sledding hill – skating rink.
So could it work in Orchard Park?. Liberti tells us, “We’ve got at least two developers that are very interested in this new district. And I’m not at liberty to say who.”
But is there possible buy-in from the Bills? Previous town officials said there was a lack of real communication with the team officials and ownership.
But now Liberti says, “We have been in talks with the Bills. They’ve been very open and transparent with us. We don’t have anything on the table right now – all I can say is that the town’s relationship with the Bills has been enhanced over last months. I think it’s a possibility where the Pegula family and the ownership team would want to have some influence around the stadium to ensure its success.”
Liberti says they might still tweak this re-zoning plan if new information comes in. He says they are also collaborating in joint planning with the adjacent town of Hamburg – the stadium is right near the town border – as well as Erie County and the state agency that will own the stadium.