By Eileen Buckley
Buffalo, NY – Some Buffalo residents who live in the Linwood Avenue area spoke out during a Common Council hearing Tuesday against the number of human service agencies allowed in their neighborhood.
At issue is an expired city ordinance that limits the number of agencies to five percent in any given neighborhood. Anything above that number requires a special use-variance and is subject to public scrutiny.
Some residents, like Arthur Robinson, say there is too much saturation of these agencies.
"There is no notification. They're just put in there. It could be for drug addicts, rapists and pedophiles," Robinson said. "We're not notified. I think neighbors need this legislation, so that they have a chance to react to it."
While Linwood residents claim there are two many, representatives from some human service agencies opposed the ordinance, saying the limitations are a form of discrimination.
Lawmakers are expected to vote on whether to renew the ordinance a month from now.