Published: February 11, 2008 12:36 am      

TOWN OF NIAGARA: Puzzled by plaza plans

Town of Niagara residents will have their first chance Tuesday to ask questions about a 146,000-square-foot shopping plaza proposed for Military Road.

The plaza, which will be anchored by a yet-to-be-announced national retailer, will be located on property owned by Benderson Development Co. across from the Fashion Outlets mall. Town board members will consider a request to rezone a portion of the land needed to move the project forward at their meeting Tuesday, but not before a public hearing is held.

The hearing will begin at 7 p.m. inside Town Hall, 7105 Lockport Road.

Supervisor Steven Richards said he’s received a few calls from concerned residents since plans for the proposed “Military Place” plaza were unveiled by Benderson last month. However, he doesn’t think there will be as much opposition as there’s been for the Super Wal-Mart going in down the road.

That project was been delayed for more than two years because of legal action brought forth by a group of residents concerned the store would have a negative and hazardous impact to the area.

“I think most of the residents’ concerns (about Military Place) can be worked out,” Richards said. “When you have something like this, it’s obviously going to impact somebody.”

Of the calls he’s received, Richards said one neighboring resident was firmly against the new plaza, but others just wanted to make sure they’d be given the chance to ask questions.

“There’s some residents that just don’t want anything by them,” Richards said. “But, everybody has a right to develop their property.”

Councilman Robert Clark said he’s heard comments from neighborhood residents concerned with how the project will affect their lives. An official from Benderson will attend Tuesday’s hearing to answer questions.

“There’s a lot of people that aren’t sure what exactly is going there,” Clark said. “They want to be more informed.”

Eric Recoon, executive director of leasing for Benderson Development, has said the company is withholding the name of the plaza’s main anchor until a lease agreement is finalized. He did confirm it will be 68,000-square feet and is a national publicly trading company, though not a grocery store.

Incorporating the existing Perkins Restaurant, the plaza also will feature a small strip shopping mall, national casual-themed restaurant and a “junior anchor” store, Recoon said.

Benderson is requesting a zoning change to a small portion of the land, but Richards said approval won’t likely be given during Tuesday’s meeting.

“I would recommend not approving anything until we can be sure all of the residents’ questions are answered,” he said.

Contact reporter Rick Forgioneat 282-2311, ext. 2257.