Orchard Park, N.Y. (WBEN) - Orchard Park Town Board members voted on Wednesday to approve the Highmark Stadium rezoning proposal after a 4-1 vote.
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). This will allow for establishments like hotels and restaurants to open up near the stadium.
However, not all residents are on board with this plan and believe this will cause overcrowding.
"I worked in Niagara Falls law enforcement, and I've seen what happens when you bring multiple businesses, multiple hotels, into a small area," stated one resident. "First off, the cost that's going to be needed to increase your police force is going to be huge. You're going to need 10 times a police force that you currently have now."
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Other residents say the plan is long overdue and believe the town is falling behind, economically.
"We had 50 years of a stagnant stadium. 50 years and we didn't have development there. We've had a restaurant that had a blue tarp on it for five or six years and we said, 'Okay, leave it alone.' But that's what people come from out of town saw for all those years," another resident stated. "All we're looking at now is, can we make this place something that is presentable with the new stadium, something that enhances Orchard Park and something that will make us a place that people are proud?"
Board member Joe Liberti says he understands not everyone will be onboard with this plan, but it will ultimately help the community grow.
"I really love this town. I've been here most of my life, and I just want to see a little bit of change. A little tweaking here, a little bit there, like a restaurant, a hotel, a parlor room, whatever. Just something where families can come and enjoy themselves and feel safe," Liberti said.
The Board will be meeting again within the next few weeks to make adjustments to the zoning map.