April 2015 - University Heights Collaborative

April 14, 2015
UHC General Meeting Minutes
Meeting called to order at 7:10
Dash’s
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Compromise proposed by Mr. Dash – use existing building as storage facility but leave parking
lot vacant until Rails to Trails and Kenmore construction projects are complete
o See what other viable alternatives might become available available
Ray – will there be someone onsite 24 hour?
o Cory (Joe Dash’s attorney) - 24 hour “surveillance” of property – might be someone on
site or might be a monitored camera
Zoning Board of Appeals – once use variance is given Dash’s will come back to the community to
talk about site plan design and accommodate community concerns
Keep an open dialogue
Aaron – would Joe Dash be open to rezoning the parking lot for a more walkable zoning?
o Parking lot would be mothballed and market conditions will be taken into consideration
Would building to be able to repurposed beyond storage if area takes off? What are standard
rental terms?
o Storage is usually on a monthly basis
o Potential for building to be utilized as something beyond storage in the future
Would the loading dock area be able to be used by the community?
o Joe would like to turn this whole experience into a positive one
o Once we get to the site design stage these are all things to talk about
Councilmember Rasheed Wyatt – worked together toward a mutually agreeable arrangement
o Asked if community members are ok with this proposal
o Zoning Variance – on April 22nd
Margo – unreasonable to talk about landscaping during a construction period. Wait until after
construction is finished.
o Rasheed – Construction supposed to be done by the end of the year
Cory – parking lot will be repaved
General consensus from the audience is that this is an acceptable compromise
New Board Members
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Mickey introduces potential board members for the UHC
o Andy Sauer – Landlord rep
o Madelaine Britt – Student rep
If you are interested in serving on the UHC board please nominate yourself before May’s
meeting
Membership will vote on new board members at May meeting
New Hookah Bar on Main Street
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Slice of Italy on Main Street (next to Lake Effect) closed down
Chinese restaurant will open on one side
Hookah Bar is planning to open on the other side of building
Yuma – owner of Habibi of the Nile Hookah Shop in the Old Edition’s Building
o Works fulltime at Ford – owns Old Editions Bookshop Building
o Wanted to open a lounge to have belly dancing students be able to perform
o Runs a law-abiding business
 Doesn’t have any relations to other hookah bars
 Doesn’t allow alcohol in establishment
 Doesn’t allow outside DJ’s/promoters use her venue
Rasheed – guy who owned place on Elmwood (that was closed down by the city) is using
someone else to open hookah store on Main
o Needs an “amusement” license which will mean they will go before the council
Fred – not enough is understood about these hookah places and e-cigarette shops
Andy – Important to encourage businesses but also ensure businesses that will be detrimental
to the community are kept out - communication is important
Leg. Pat Savage – Start thinking about how to regulate these businesses and provide a best
practices template
Resident – possibility of creating a Hookah Lounge permit?
Rozalyn – Bringing in DJ’s is what often causes the problem
Linear Park
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Rasheed – Watts Engineering had a recent meeting - bids have already gone out. Construction
should be starting in the next couple of weeks
Construction meetings will help keep community informed
Will be some closures at the dead end of each street that abuts Linear Park
Project should be finished by the end of the summer
Peter Savage – Tonawanda portion construction should begin in spring as well
Timing it with the Kenmore Reconstruction project
Rasheed – there will be a ribbon cutting – will put out information when it becomes available
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Matt wants to recognize Candy’s tireless efforts to get Linear Park on the city’s radar
Buffalo Student Housing
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A group out of Long Island bought up lots of properties, many from a well-known slumlord in the
area
Will extend an invitation to the new owners to talk to and work with the community
Andy – open lines of communication with landlord is extremely important
Landlords that are working on problem property – maybe host open houses after renovation are
complete to let community members see the investment?
Mickey – is going to school to become a licensed home inspector to ensure that properties in
the area aren’t needlessly demo’d
Spring It On Results
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One day online fundraiser
$2,700 raised for community projects
St Joe’s Neighborhood Housing Initiative provided $2,500 match
Funding will be used on neighborhood projects
UB Getting’ Dirty
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April 25th – Cleaning and mulching Main Street and Bailey Avenue
Updates
University Heights Arts Association
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2nd Annual UHAA August 15th
o St. Andrews
o Tables available for community groups – register online
Art booths at the farmers markets
April 25th – NYPA Sculpture Competition
Sculpture garden – space behind St. Andrew’s shooting to be part of the Capen Garden Walk
May 2nd Art Spaces – Amy’s Place, Buffalo Roots, Daily Planet, Queen City Printing
Capen Garden Walk poster art competition
Farmers Market
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Soliciting Vendors
Flower vendor will be at the market for its opening
Mid-May is opening day
Capen Garden Walk
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Poster has been created thanks to the UHAA
Christine Brooks Memorial Fund
o Tree planted at templeton park
o Funds used to help gardeners get started
Tool Library/ReTree
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250 trees will be planted across University District
Meet at 9AM at 147 Diefendorf Hall
Practice Planting
Toolraiser
Old Ziad’s Market – what is the status of that structure that was rebuilt?
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Still looking into what kind of business will be housed in the building
Meeting adjourned at 8:30PM
Please visit our website www.ourheights.org for updates on agendas and minutes from previous
meetings.
The next general UHC meeting will be Tuesday, May 12, 2015 at 7:00pm.