Island Dispatch, 1992-08-07

              ISLAND DISPATCH Strike Up The Band! Sikora Post American Legion Band, 7 P.M. I Tuesday At The Town Hall Gazebo SERVING THE GRAND ISLAND COMMUNITY SINCE 1944 With The GRAND ISLAND NEWS s«v* 24 PAGES GRAND ISLAND, NY (716) 773-7676 VOL. 49 • NO. 19 AUG. 7, 1992 Niagara Frontier Publications Awards Vacation Publisher A. Skip Mazcnaucr presents a free vacation certificate, the grand prize in the Grand Island PcnnySaver's 43rd anniversary celebration, to Lynn Browne of Baseline Road and her children, Jeffrey and Jillian. Mrs. Browne was among some 200 entrants in the vacation giveaway. Many other merchants donated gift certificates and merchandise prizes for the event. Photo by liarbi I.ari- Positive Input Sought For Master Plan WHAT Islanders will be asked to consider at 7:30 P.M. Thursday night (Aug. 13) in the Middle School Little Theater is an updated organized plan of growth for Grand Island based on an already existing Master Plan. The revised draft, in die works since 1990, will help to belter define and clarify zoning needs, address service capabilities and needs for a community in transition well inlo the 21st century, according to Master Plan Committee Co-chairs, Councilman James Sharpc and Planning Board Chair Thomas Nowak. Bui Sharpe nilcls iii.-u rlic new plan cIoca Utile 10 change existing zoning oUier lhan to suggest more efficient zoning definitions. During the past six months, the Committee has analyzed changes that could occur if Grand Island continues to follow (lie land use regulations based on die 1969 plan. They found an additional 9800 housing units and 10 million square feet of commercial and industrial space could be developed under that plan. Some 26,500 residents could be housed in those homes bringing the total population of die Town to 44,000. A petition drive launched in July by a group of citizens, whose purpose is to preserve die "rural character" of the Island, is basically opposed to the Saratoga Associates Master Plan update draft. Sharpe, however contests that many concerns of the group are unfounded such as the extension of sewer lines to the west side of the Island. The meeting, he hopes, will elicit positive reactions and suggestions from divergent views, so the design may be a total community effort. Special interest groups focusing only on a particular area without consideration for the future of the entire Island will prove to be dysfunctional. As with every major project it will need give and take on the part of all segments of the community. In working on the update with Saratoga, Sharpe feels the committee did its homework in addressing die needs and concerns of all Islanders. Responses to a 1990 community survey were incorporated as well as the broad based input of die members who serve on the Comprehensive Plan Review Committee. These include representatives of Town Board, Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, Conservation Advisory Council, Recreation Commission, Traffic Safety Board, along with Town Dcpt. heads, and representatives o/'i-iti*-.oii*' gnujpx. One of die major problems in dealing widi the opposition to the Master Plan is die subjectivity widi which "rural character" is defined, says Sharpe. According to Webster, "rural" implies an agricultural economic base which has been long absent from the Island. The other problem is the ambiguity often emanating from those who cry for "rural." Those vehement in their efforts to retain the "rural or rustic" charm of Grand Island, also advocate sidewalks and street lights for various neighborhoods and the town's center. There really is no conflict here as the Master Plan update preserves the green space in a specific way, Sharpe insists. The August 13 meeting which precedes a yet to be announced public hearing will explain the current status, describe existing conditions and problems, offer a 1990 inventory analysis, and then ask for a wish list from residents. A close look at density issues and land usage will result in an analysis of current zoning not necessarily to alter it but update and redefine in a more functional way. Three new zoning categories which may better serve the Island are G-l (recreational), R-2 (condominiums and town houses), and M-2 (office park and research). The first and third have been identified as high priority issues among Grand Island's citizens.