Town of Cheektowaga
The Town of Cheektowaga Comprehensive Plan and Generic Environmental Impact Statement (June 2010) were prepared by Wendel Duchscherer, HOK Planning Group, Inc. and Economic Stewardship, Inc. in collaboration with a Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee, the Cheektowaga Town Board and an AdHoc Committee. This plan is an update to the Comprehensive Plan (1969) which serves as a guide for land use decisions, and the recent amendments to the sections of the zoning ordinance in 2005.
The Town of Cheektowaga is an urbanized fist-ring suburb facing similar obstacles as the City of Buffalo. The Comprehensive Plan outlines the goals and objectives for the Town, developed through an extensive public participation process which consists of the establishment of an Advisory Committee, public focus meetings and a Public Visioning Workshop. The plan is comprised of a Community Inventory and Profile, and Community Assessment which assesses existing conditions and patterns related to land use, housing and neighborhoods, economic development, environmental resources and conditions, transportation, and other key functional areas. The eight stated goals are as follows:
- Identity – define a clear vision, image and identity for the Town of Cheektowaga that reflects the needs and desires of its residents and businesses
- Revitalization – promote, assist and sponsor Neighborhood redevelopment, renewal and revitalization
- Leadership – Acknowledge and strengthen the regional importance of Cheektowaga and take a leadership role in Western New York’s future
- Creativity – Utilize creative planning, zoning and design techniques to help Cheektowaga achieve its goals
- Cooperation/Coordination – Identify and take advantage of opportunities for fiscal efficiency within local, regional and state governments
- Quality – Provide needed quality services and facilities for residents and businesses
- Mobility – Take advantage of and improve upon the significant transportation system in the Town; acknowledging all of the present modes of transportation: pedestrian, bicyclist, transit, automotive, truck, rail and air.
- Prosperity – Provide conditions that will lead to economic growth, a strong and stable tax base and business opportunities for a vital future
The plan puts forth a number of viable suggestions, some of which are already in progress, such as the William/Losson Corridor Study, Harlem/Kensington/Cleveland Village Revitalization Plan, and the Pine Hill/Schiller Park Traditional Area Revitalization Plan. Recommendations are followed by a coherent Action Plan/Implementation Strategy which lists alternative approaches to economic development. The plan conducts an Annual Review of the plan and an Environmental Review is completed in accordance with SEQR to ensure that any adverse impacts associated with proposals are mitigated. The plan for Cheektowaga acknowledges that it must address local issues in accordance with the Framework for Regional Growth, which identifies Cheektowaga as a “Developed Area.” Overall, the plan addresses all key functional areas and principles of Sustainability, with the exception of food access and climate change.