Developers of a proposed seven-unit complex at Delaware Avenue and Bedford Avenue in North Buffalo have agreed to take another look at the project, reflecting neighborhood concern about parking and potential snow removal.
Severyn Development is proposing the seven units running along Bedford, replacing a low and long ranch house, once a dentist's office. There have already been some changes in the building plans: venting the furnace to the roof, installing air-conditioning compressors there and putting a couple of windows in what had been a blank wall facing Delaware.
Developer Alex Severyn says the backyards are important because they would be served by first- and second-floor patios.
"The backyard is very important and a key to our selling future. Given the fact that, no, I don't think we are going to be attracting large families," he says. "We are going to be aiming at people who want to enjoy downtime, so they don't want a large yard or a large driveway or really any maintenance. So the backyard is very important."
Nearby resident William Marcy says the developers are more concerned about profit than the effect on the neighborhood of seven-units topping out at $600,000. He says the project is too big for the area.
"There is a 'No Parking Here to the Corner' sign and we're wondering where exactly will this driveway fit that sign. That is a concern because people whip around the corner and make a right, make a left onto Delaware and you're committed," she says. "In other words, if a car is backing out, there could be a serious accident. There are a lot of kids that live in the neighborhood. There are two families that just moved into those houses across the way."
Developers say there would be four driveways, with six of the units sharing.
Buffalo Planning Board Member Martha Lamparelli says she likes most of the project, but wants that look at parking behind the structure.
"Looking at it, I think it does wonders for that block. I have to go with the parking in the back," she says. "And I know you're concerned about having it closer to the street. I don't think you're going to be looking at families that come in that's going to be raising toddlers and running around."
Developers say moving from underground parking for each unit to parking behind might make the project unaffordable. The plan is to come back to the Buffalo Planning Board in two weeks with a proposal for moving the building closer to the sidewalk and putting parking in the relatively small backyards.
