Residents of Vernon Avenue are organizing opposition to a proposed new Arby's Restaurant on West Main Street, at the end of Vernon.
In a petition presented to City Council Monday night, residents say the proposed development -- which would replace three existing residential buildings -- would create more noise, result in 24-hour lighting, destroy trees, increase traffic congestion at the intersection and on Vernon, and decrease property values.
Residents David Steele and John McCauley spoke up during public comments at Monday's meeting and Steele presented the Council with a petition signed by almost every resident of Vernon Avenue (City Manager Jason Molino lives there but didn't sign it, Steele said, citing a conflict of interest).
"Many residents, especially those at the southern end of Vernon Avenue, have said if this development goes through as presented to the Planning and Development Committee, they will list their homes for sale," Steele said. If many residents do that, there will be a housing glut on that street with supply and demand decreasing property values."
McCauley (top photo) said he purchased his home about a year ago, moving here with his wife from Buffalo, expecting to live on a quiet street. If the Arby's is built, he said, then he'd likely move.
"We were sad to hear that (an Arby's was going in)," McCauley said. "If they were going to do something like that, it would probably force us to put our house up for sale."
The proposed development will be on Thursday's agenda for the County Planning Board and at a future meeting of the city's Planning and Development Committee. Steele said residents plan to be at both of those meetings.
The planning committee operates independently and the Council has no real input on what development gets approved or denied.
I assume the proposed
I assume the proposed location is already zoned commercial?
Anywhere on main street is
Anywhere on main street is going to be prime property for commercial development, its going to happen. Its just a matter of time and what type of commercial development. I don't see Arbys that big of a deal. I drive by there a lil before 11pm all lights are out and there are a few employees inside cleaning and then there gone not soon after. They don't get a whole lot of traffic not like Tim Hortins !! The guy that runs Arbys is a local guy that cares im shere he would plant as many trees as the neighbors would like and tone down the lighting at night.
It could be worse!!!
I love when people who come
I love when people who come out against commercial development use the same old, and tired, argument that it will devalue their homes if that is allowed to be built near our neighborhood.
Thing is, several years ago, here in Rochester, the same, silly argument was made but the PAWs group when the Northgate Plaza was developed to accommodate a a Walmart super center, yet no evidence has been presented since that store has opened, employing up to 250 workers, many of whom were probably sucking the public tit, that there has been any loss of value to homes on the neighboring streets around the plaza.
Many people followed through on their threat to put their homes on the market; however, I think there were less than 5 that actually sold.
You bought a home in a neighborhood that is close to the business district of Batavia, what did you expect regarding commercial development?
Raymond, this is how these
Raymond, this is how these people feel, they are expressing their feelings to their government. they have every right to do so. if you don't like it, too bad. if you are so smart why don't you approach these people and share your wisdom with them instead of telling us how you know they are wrong.