Letter To The Editor
The Amherst Town Board is missing.
Cowering behind the Zoning Board and soon the Planning Board, our elected leaders have been both silent and absent from the very public discussion on the massive Hyatt hotel Iskalo Development continues to muscle through the approval process in Town Hall. In callous disregard to the neighborhood and community, the Zoning Board swiftly rubber stamped all of Iskalos variance requests for the Hyatt with less discussion than afforded the topic of raising chickens in Eggertsville. Despite passionate pleas from the Towns citizens, the Zoning Board, agents of the Town and acting on behalf of the Town Board, gave new meaning to the terms lip service, deaf ear and fast track. Truly, the RED shirt clad neighbors, sat in stunned silence, at the caviler manner in which the Board, swiftly and without discussion or reasoning, ruled in favor of Iskalo. Nine times. Nine variances. All approved with little or no discussion. After midnight this past Tuesday.
This was a huge Iskalo victory and another sad chapter is the sad story of commercial development in Amherst.
The neighbors are not opposed to development of this site. But maintain that the massive Hyatt is out of scale with the area and too intrusive a use to be allowed so close to the residential area. Something similar in scale and design to Snyder Square would be appropriate or even another hotel like the Lord Amherst. Further, the neighbors were not asking for special treatment, rather, had pressed for a fair hearing and a discussion of this project and its alternatives. We got neither. We were swatted away by the Zoning Board while the Town Board members, lacking the courage to chime in, either for or against this project, are hiding in a corner somewhere, hoping that the Hyatt will be underway and forgotten by Town voters, well in advance of Town elections this November. Good luck with that.
Let there be no mistake that the actions by the Zoning Board reflect the consensus decision of our elected leaders on the Town Board. The Zoning Board just happened to be acting in their stead. It is convenient for the Town Board to say that this was not their vote, and while technically correct, that’s not the reality and we all know that. We are not fooled. So where are they? Where is the Town Board? Has anyone heard a peep?
The Amherst Town Board is missing.
So, to my neighbors in Williamsville, heads up and take notice of the Mill. That’s Iskalo. And Main and Garrison. That’s Iskalo. Look at all the other Iskalo owned property in the Village. There are quite a few. Brace yourself. And good luck with that.
And to Paul Iskalo.
You did fine work at the ElectricTower and we thank you. That project, alone, may have earned you a spot in local history, perhaps alongside Rocco Termini who will be long remembered with great affection for spearheading housing redevelopment in downtown Buffalo. But the Hyatt, if you go forward, will earn you a place in the Hall of Shame, ensconced forever alongside other egregious development mistakes made here. The Bills stadium in OrchardPark. UB in Amherst. The Hyatt will be your legacy and an indelible black mark on your reputation and corporate resume. You will be embarrassed and ashamed of yourself when your children and your grandchildren ask ..”How did you do that? What were you thinking? And why??
The Iskalo Hyatt is on the Amherst Town Planning Board agenda in March.
Sincerely
Michele F. Marconi
FRIENDS OF MIKES POND
Pfhitt Said,
March 4, 2013 @ 1:28 am
Michelle – you just figured this out ? Who do you think appoints the Zoning and Planning Boards ? The cowards that sets these boards up to do their dirty work, so you can’t get “to” the Town Board. These guys have all been in the bag with Iskalo from Day 1, but I bet they all told you they were “with” you , except the rotten PB or ZB had the last say. Throw the bums all out.P.
jjtric Said,
March 4, 2013 @ 2:09 pm
Michele F. Marconi understands the control the Republican party has over the people of Amherst. They control the Town Board, Planning Board and the ZBA. Money. Money is their Lord and Master, not what’s good for the people of Amherst.
The Town Board must be removed through the vote. Then hardnose tactics by the public must be used to put a stop to the Planning and ZBA “gifts” to the developers.
Bonnie Besmanoff Said,
March 4, 2013 @ 5:05 pm
I agree with Michelle regarding the proposed Hyatt at Mikes Pond. No consideration was given to the neighborhood. We were just asking for a height restriction so the surrounding homes won’t have hotel rooms looming over their homes. Also there has to be a way to stop pollutes from the parking lot getting into the pond and effecting the wildlife. It’s not a big pond so it wouldn’t take much to distroy it. Also the taking down the berm is going to allow access to the homes behind Lakewood Pkwy distorting even more green space that is rapidly being built on. There is not many natural habitats left in Snyder and we don’t need more homes built there. Please stop the madness
Robert Collins Said,
March 4, 2013 @ 7:50 pm
The intrusion into our neighborhoods of both Iskalo’s Hyatt, and Palidino’s Main and North Forest monstrosity have sparked the outrage of citizens of Snyder and Williamsville. The families that bought property and homes from Willard Genrich years ago on Livingston and Lakewood are leading the opposition for all of us. I hope more of us will attend the Planning Board,ZBA,and AIDI meetings and get a little active in politics for the comings elections in November. We are living between the I-90, Transit Road, Sheridan, and Main Street. All prime targets for developers, and well supported as being “enhansed” for development. On Sheriden alone within the past six months we have seen Walmart, BJ Wholesale with gasoline pumps,a new building on the Sheridan Harlem Plaza, and large apartment complexes on the east end of Sheridan. Mark Manna’s proposal for a moritorium on building heights unil the committee decides was soundly defeated by the Town board member because it would slow down development of some pending projects. When will it all end?
Karen Butler Said,
March 5, 2013 @ 2:02 am
I also couldn’t be more disappointed, disgusted with the way this project has been handled by our Town officials. All we are asking that the Town use the Comprehensive Plan that Amherst residents paid for, stop changing it every time a developer wants what shouldn’t be done. Stick with the Town’s zoning regulations and not allow every variance to be rubber stamped for the good of the developer. And most importantly do not allow another 77ft building that will destroy the character of our Town for generations just because it is on a highway interchange and the developer can’t make as much money on a smaller building that fits the surrounding area.
Sandy Said,
March 5, 2013 @ 3:36 am
I have no sympathy for the residents. They voted these republican clowns into office. And this election they will forget how the residents were sold down the river.
Steve Said,
March 5, 2013 @ 8:48 pm
Michele Marconi and others… Did you really think that the land behind the Lord and next to the Thruway was never going to be built on? You’re foolish to think otherwise. And where we you when the Paladino Hotel was being built, or the gunclub was being rezoned, or the Student Housing across from ECC. I can tell you where you were…no where to be found. Only until sometime happens in your TINY LITTLE World of Snyder do you actually give a damn about anything. And who do you reach out to the lead the charge to stop, why Mark Manna of course, A lifelong Republican, and Democrat for 5 years, who tells ISKALO he thinks it’s a great project, and then tells the residents he’ll fight for them. The same Mark Manna who just a few months ago held his Fundraiser there at a discounted price. The same on who voted for every one of the Planning Board and ZBA members, but but 2; and 1 or those 2 were already there.
And Michelle, admit it, you never reached out to anyone on the Town Boardother than Mark. You simply came to meetings and told them they didn’t care and insulted them. Why would anyone want to help you. You’re very divisive. You are the personification of everything you rally against
Sandy Said,
March 6, 2013 @ 2:09 am
So tell us Steve what you would have done differently if it were your neighborhood. Keep in mind the land behind the residents had a deed restriction for almost 40 years stating nothing could be built higher than 3 stories. What would you have done if that protection was taken away by the ZBA, made up entirely of Republican committee people,including the chairman of the Amherst Republican Party.
The question should not be why they turned to Manna,it should be why didn’t they turn to anyone else on the board. Manna is not perfect but when it comes to standing up for residents Manna is always there. I never knew Manna was a Republican, but I’m old enough to remember when Dr.Barry was a Democrat!
Steve Said,
March 6, 2013 @ 3:14 am
Well the Chairman of the ZBA is the former Deputy Town Attorney. The woman is a house wife who applied to the supervisors office and was interviewed by the Department head. Yes i asked her how she got on the ZBA. The other three I don’t really know. And yes I remember when the Supervisor was a Democrat as well.
The problem is there was never a deed restriction which is why the case went to court, and the court agreed with the ZBA that there was no deed restriction. The Town Board approved the cost to hire an attorney to fight the ZBA’s decision and lost in court.
The issue of Manna is you can’t tell Iskalo you support their project, that you think it’s great, and then tell the residents you’re fighting for them. You can’t tell the residents you’re fighting for them and then have your party there supporting the very entity that is ruining this area of town.
And I agree the question IS why Michelle didn’t reach out to anyone else on the Board? Instead she chose to insult them, scold them, and basically make accusations not based on fact. and this is how she expected these people to help. I watched her at the meeting, I watched her on tv, as far as I’m concerned she created a situation where no compromise would ever happen with Iskalo by drawing a line in the sand with her arrogance and smug attitude. as far as I’m concerned she did more to harm my neighborhood than anyone else
AnotherView Said,
March 6, 2013 @ 5:24 am
Steve, who should residents reach out to? All on the town board have proven through their votes and actions that they don’t represent resident concerns time and time again.
I agree Manna is two sided, but the others are no better. The simple fact is that there are no representatives on the town board who don’t represent developer interests either directly or indirectly.
As for the ZBA members we have 3 top republican operatives, a top republican election fund contributor, and a “housewife” who is a less than one year insert, finishing out the term of a deceased member which ends Dec 31, 2013. After the election this year we will see who they appoint to replace her for the full 5 year term.
Don’t blame Michelle. As residents, we should all be indignant with our town board and should not be condemned for speaking out.
Robert Said,
March 6, 2013 @ 12:10 pm
So its Michele Marconi’s fault that the board did not help them? What about the hundreds of others that showed up at meetings against this project and the hundreds of emails as well. Did everyone against this project have as smug attitude? So according to Steve its not about the issue its about personalities……Steve you reallly have a strong bias against Manna, now I see you despise any resident that fights for her neighborhood. To blame her for the boards inaction is ludicrous.
Steve Said,
March 6, 2013 @ 4:51 pm
What did you expect the Board to do? They didn’t have a vote on the hotel?
But why work with one, when you could work with 6? It certainly more plausible to think that working with people, instead of coming right out against them would at least opened the door for assistance or ideas.
There’s no bias against Manna. In a different thread I also mentioned Nuchereno held a fundraiser at Sonoma as well. I was just saying he can’t have it both ways.
AND there were NEVER hundreds of people concerning this at any meeting. TB, ZBA, Planning. I was at all of them except one.
Cocerned Citizen Said,
March 7, 2013 @ 1:06 am
Steve, you miss the big picture as usual.
You are part of the problem. You have a significant vested interest in downplaying any negative impact caused to the Amherst residents by the Town Board or the ZBA. That is politics I guess.
Describing Michelle’s arguments as harmful is your opinion made through a highly biased and politically motivated personal filter. Certainly if the only audience you can envision is made up of only Republican insiders, you would be more correct.
The real audience is much different, and much more interested in protecting the quality of their neighborhoods. The majority of Amherst voters are not affiliated with any party, where many of these residents have traditionally voted Republican. As more and more residents are aliened by the actions of the ZBA and Town Board this will change.
It shouldn’t take hundreds of residents speaking against an obvious community harm by unethical developers before any town board member should act to help them. If only one resident is harmed by the unethical actions of the ZBA or Town Board, their is a moral obligation of our representatives to help them due to the gross disparity of power.
Max Said,
March 7, 2013 @ 2:49 pm
The town board members have the Obama syndrome. Blame everyone else for what they and their surrogates are responsible for then use smoke and mirrors to absolve themselves. One-party rule is always detrimental to the people. We see it over and over. Local is no different than state and federal governing.
Locally, we were told by some during the election campaign that they were for “preserving green space and protecting neighborhoods.” What we’re seeing is the antithesis of that promise and the deconstructing of a town. No wonder we do not trust or believe politicians.
It should not matter how many people show up, at any of the meetings, to object to inappropriate development. COMMON SENSE, conscience and sensibility to the constituents, if only one, should be paramount. Isn’t that the purpose of all boards representing the people? Alluding to anything less reveals the mentality Amherst residents are dealing with. BTW, Steve, how many people, not financially connected, showed up in favor of the 78 ft. hotel, in a residential area?’
Fundraisers at Iskalo’s Sonoma Grill is blatant and in-your-face arrogant, given the controversy surrounding the property. Favors always come with strings attached.
Then, there is the question, why fundraise at all? Let big donors (with string attached) foot the whole bill. Why ask people to pay for any campaign where they eventually get screwed?
Why didn’t anyone, besides Manna, reach out to these people in support? Was it that they knew the deck was stacked against them–because they helped stack it?
Hope Michele and her neighbors are able to appeal and hold the 78 ft. hotel at bay, lest we end up with another monstrosity like that on Main and S. Forest.
Kay Said,
March 7, 2013 @ 7:29 pm
Anderson al least showed up to the Panel discussion at the Harlem Road Community Center. Word is that he stayed to talk with residents and went over to Michele to introduce himself and compliment her on the meeting…
Robert Said,
March 7, 2013 @ 10:30 pm
Kay. Did Jay Anderson spit in anyone after the meeting as is his practice?? By the way Iskalo does not Sonoma. Its managed and leased by An Amherst resident that’s been in the restaurant business for decades. I attended the drug court fundraiser there. Sonoma has nothing to do with Iskalo and may not be part of the remodel plans.
Jake Said,
March 8, 2013 @ 3:59 am
These two misfit buildings will set a horrible precedent. If two developers are able to pursue their ambitions, why can’t others? Any neighborhood could be in their sights..and will not be stopped by the current gang at town hall. God knows the latest edition of the Master Plan has muddled language that allows whatever they want. The Master Plan has become a tool for the tools at town hall.
Iskalo has everything to do with Sonoma. He owns the building.
http://www.iskalo.com/content/files/Lord%20Amherst(FINAL).pdf
Concerned Citizen Said,
March 8, 2013 @ 3:29 pm
Overwhelming negative reactions against the ZBA and Town Board.
The large number of these comments and their overwhelming negative reactions against the ZBA actions in granting variances for the Hyatt hotel project should not be dismissed out-of-hand by the ZBA or the Town Board.
This Town Board in general and the ZBA in particular are in the process of either selling off any town owned property or developing every square inch of available land in Amherst. Their goal is to do it as fast as possible thus limiting the time for community opposition to build. I suspect this is a calculated and possibly coordinated effort between the developers and a few particular town officials for their mutual benefit.
It makes me sick!
PS: Steve, I know you don’t agree with me, but someday I predict your opinions are going to come back to haunt you.
Grace Said,
March 10, 2013 @ 2:25 am
We moved to Amherst almost 12 years ago. We escaped an area that had long since enjoyed its heyday. Development, then over-development gave way to abandonment and slums. What I’m seeing in Amherst is a creeping re-creation of dead towns, villages, cities and town officials oblivious to history.
It is alarming, if one likes Amherst and does not want to move again to stay one step ahead of developers paving and paying their way through towns at the expense of homeowners, the real tax-producing entity. Paradoxically, while green space is disappearing and poorly-planned development is underway, abandonment and decade-long slums exist in other areas, like the old Vix Plaza, at the corner of Maple and N. Forest.
It clearly does not matter who or how many show up at meetings to beg for “mercy” in protecting their homes. They still can’t produce the wherewithal that developers can, be it favors or money.
In the favors category, Sonoma is Iskalo’s.
Should also be noted that Supervisor Weinstein is a developer.
Instead of homeowners donating to politicians’ campaigns, working against themselves, they should pool that money into a dedicated legal fund to sue the developers and town for obscenely stupid ideas.