Orchard Park, N.Y. (WBEN) - Orchard Park residents are voicing their concerns over the possible rezoning of residential areas near the new Highmark Stadium that will house the Buffalo Bills come 2026.
Thursday night's Public Forum was hosted by town council members John Mariano and Joe Liberti.
During the meeting, it was shared that the area from Southwestern Boulevard to Big Tree Road, as well as two other areas North of the stadium, will be rezoned into Development and Research 2 zones (DR2).
"I would say it's like an entertainment district. It's something that's going to attract, I would say, local restaurants, pubs, cafes, markets, a hotel, and multi-use. First floor is commercial – Upstairs is residential," Liberti stated during the public forum.
Owner of Yellow Brick LLC, Mark Lester, says his business owns several vacant properties near the stadium, and is holding off on doing anything with them until the town provides a formal definition for DR2 zones.
"It's not written, it's not set. I'd like to see something where I can review it and provide comments that they can use to further their plans of trying to create additional development around the stadium," Lester stated.
One resident shared that her area doesn't need any more businesses, especially since the traffic near her house is already unbearable.
"It's our neighborhood. We are not the surround of the stadium, and that's how we seem to be viewed. It's just not fair to the people who live there. We've been there. We've developed our homes," she said. "We've maintained our homes for over 30 years, and now, if you put something commercial right after Shadow Lane, my property value is in the toilet."
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