Orchard Park, N.Y. (WBEN) - Attention developers: Especially those considering building a multi-story hotel, you may have a bit of a hassle for some Orchard Park land that surrounds the new Highmark Stadium.
Despite questions raised by residents and some developers, the Orchard Park Town Board - on Dec. 17 - unanimously approved a new set of zoning guidelines for a nearly 300-acre swath of land that surrounds the new home of the Buffalo Bills.
Basically, no building can be taller than 35 feet, or roughly 2.5 stories.
"That's going to leave the town with a Motel 6 and not a Marriott," said Ardwin Carducci, who owns more than three acres of Southwestern Boulevard land near the stadium.
Yet, just a few feet away from Carducci's land is the Town of Hamburg, whose leaders are considering allowing hotel projects up to 70 feet and other commercial developments up to 50 feet.
"It's not fair," Carducci said.
Orchard Park Councilman and Supervisor-elect Joseph Liberti said safety was a paramount concern when focusing on development within that nearly 300 acre circle around the new stadium.
"This is not going to hinder development," Liberti said. "It will provide safety in terms of sidewalks, more lighting and bike paths."
Sidewalks and lighting were key and often repeated issues that were raised during a number of community input sessions held earlier this year.
Outgoing Supervisor Eugene Majchrzak said while there was limited development that took place around the current Highmark Stadium, which opened in 1973, he expects more to take place with the new venue.
Why?
Because the Buffalo Bills have said the new stadium may be used more than 100 days a year and that, the supervisor, will drive more development interest to that area of the town.
"No developer was going to spend millions at a stadium that was used for 10 home games a year and a handful of concerts," Majchrzak said. "But, things have changed."
And, any development is not going to happen overnight, especially given the financially volatile development landscape, the supervisor noted.
"Any development won't happen quickly," Majchrzak said. "But, it is also not going to take another 50 years."
The new zoning guidelines does provide a development game plan and blueprint for the immediate stadium area. Other zoning changes will be coming in the next few months, town officials said.
"This, to me, is a step in the right direction," said Mark Lester, who owns six acres of land at Abbott and Big Tree Roads.