yeah but, have you ever tried to make a left hand turn coming out of pano's or the m & t Bank or the Co-op on Elmwood? It's nearly impossible and would think to be much more dangerous. Exiting onto a side street with much less traffic and then pulling up to a stop sign or street light (not sure what's-what) on the corner of Hertel and Sterling seems way safer and easier.
If there shouldn't be a driveway there, then the code should not allow it. It's either allowed or not. If enough people don't like it, change the code. But don't criticize this company for building the store by the constraints it was allowed to work with. We're always re-acting to development instead of being pro-active and setting up proper codes and ordinances to get built what we want to get built.
Ever wonder why the Lowes in Orchard Park has a nice brick front but the 2 in Amherst are painted concrete? That's because it was in the code. These guys will only build the minimum of what they are required to.
I think this is a little overblown anyway. It's not like it's fast food or Tim Horton's. The great thing about this neighborhood is that it is walkable, so many of its customers are potentially in walking distance.
This is neighborhood is getting worked up about something that is really no big issue. It’s not as though the driveway to Sterling is in the middle of the block where it’s surrounded by homes. The purpose of the driveway is for people who need to turn left out of the parking lot onto Hertel. They will exit out the back of the lot onto Sterling, turn left, and then wait at the light to make a safe left turn onto Hertel. The only people who would turn right on Sterling are the people who would turn right onto Sterling anyway, regardless of whether they do it from the side driveway or the front driveway. Seriously, is there any other reason to drive down Sterling? The increased safety to people walking and driving on Hertel (which I assume will include the residents of Sterling) by eliminating the need for drivers to take a chance at crossing 3+ lanes of traffic to turn left, will far outweigh any negative effects to Sterling.
Unfortunately, it’s much easier to be reactionary than it is to think.
more conspiracies more conspiracies......just a person trying to get this city back on track. Just because I feel citizens are over reacting does not mean I have an affiliation. Reading the posts ....most agree its been overblown. I guess I can move on and post my opinion on other developments. I just think we should support more developers and go after the city for their low building standards.
If that makes the Sterling residents feel better, then ok put a no-right-turn sign there.
the smartest solution would be a no right-hand turn sign to direct all traffic coming out of FV to Hertel.
But that'd only help sooth their feelings and egos (and make LoCurto feel he's 'doing something'), so I don't see the point.
There's no logic to it in terms of traffic because customers who want to drive north on Sterling would still be able to legally turn right onto Sterling from Hertel after existing the Family Video lot from Hertel. What's the difference if they do that, or just turn right directly onto Sterling from the FV lot using a Sterling driveway? It's not as though anyone will suddenly forget Sterling is there once they pull out of FV and go west on Hertel.
This issue sounds way overblown. If not Family Video, that corner probably would've attracted a pharmacy or dollar store, or something with a drive-thru. Any of that would have potential of increasing traffic on Sterling, with or without a driveway being there. No matter what, the corner wouldn't stay something as low-volume as Martino's small independent appliance store. I'm surprised they lasted as long as they did - it's a credit to them.
WholeLottaJibbaJabbah and MJW are right in saying the most important thing here is having the Sterling driveway will improve traffic safety overall by reducing left turns into and out of the Hertel FV driveway.
There's plenty of free porn on the internet. You would have to be foolish to purchase it.
I understand the fears and concerns about having a parking lot driveway being put in on the block where you live. I had the same concerns when a similar driveway was built on Rand just off of Delaware. While my neighbors and I expressed our opposition at the time, we've found that our lovely, residential street was NOT flooded by cars leaving the retail parking lot at the corner. There was no change in traffic levels or speeds from before the retail strip plaza---complete with driveway---was built to after it was built. Now the notion of a retail strip plaza with suburban design standards, NOT urban design standards, THAT'S A DIFFERENT STORY. At least the block isn't flooded by cars.
the bottom line is this: one bad apple spoils the bunch and one petulant person causes a ruckus over nothing. are cars really going to be speeding out of the driveway to run down their kids? no. is there going to be a lot of traffic from Family Video? no, video stores are not successful any more. are they even actually putting in a driveway? no, they're just using the one martino's already had put in.
i'd say that ms. luciano needs to get a life instead of wasting her time on something that is 1) definitely going to happen since there are no legal barriers and no incentive to the company to do otherwise and 2) not really going to impact her or her kids life in any way; unless they need to rent a movie on a Friday night.
then again, im wasting my time writing this comment, so who am i to be criticizing her use of time?
I agree that this is a city not a suburban cul-de-sac. City streets are supposed to absorb and spread out traffic, not funnel it all to one or two mega 7-lane streets like the burbs.
My intuition would have me believe that this set-up would make for an overall safer environment. Instead of cars fighting other cars at an intersection one building away divert them to the same regulated intersection. this drive drops them one building back of the intersection, its not dumping a large plaza's traffic mid block. People who were going to Hertel to begin with will still be going to Hertel. Those who go down Sterling pry would have made a right onto it from Hertal anyways. The minority who choose to take Sterling to Tacoma as a "new" option are most likey going to be residents of the gerneral area with even a smaller minority looking for a "short cut" over to Parkside or Colvin. Simplifying the traffic at Hertel will make it a safer walk at both the store entry and at the intersection.
I'm amazed that this was not built like a typical new build with the building at the back of the lot and all the parking in the front with a large entry/exit for vehicles. I'd be very happy with this design over a typical one and my only desire would be they located the entry at the front sidewalk/lot corner of the building to interact with those walking by more. This nicely perserves the feel of the corner instead of a new missing tooth there. Like the Elmwood intersection referenced above.
Kids can still play here. Playing in the street is a great traffic calming measure. I did it as a kid and still pass kids doing it. Those that routinely have kids playing in them are usualy bypassed once people grow tired of driving around the kids.
These people need to get a life. I don't see how this driveway will have any effect on the quality of life of those living on Sterling. Why would anyone even choose to make a right turn out of this driveway, only to get caught up in North Buffalo Stop Sign Land? There's no incentive to use the side streets here as thoroughfares versus Hertel and other main roads. If a car makes a left turn out of the driveway, it will not be driving by any of the residences. It seems to be a much better option than pulling out onto Hertel, potentially blocking the sidewalk or hitting a pedestrian, and trying to make a turn onto a busy street with blind spots from cars parked on the street. But none of that matters, since it would be much worse for everyone if a few cars will potentially make a right turn onto Sterling.
Why doesn't she like the idea of making Sterling into a one-way street? It seems to me that would cut down nearly all of the traffic that drives down here looking for parking spots, and solve the Family Video problem as well. Oh, I know why! Because it would make it more difficult for her to DRIVE her CAR to her house. We wouldn't want that.
This company spent at least half a year getting approvals from the neighborhood group and the city of buffalo. Where were these few neighbors during that process??? This business followed the RULES and LAWS laid out by the city of Buffalo, this building and site plan is what was required and approved by the city.
I wonder why more businesses and developers dont venture into the city. ?????
Just for the record I realize most of this fuss is over the placement of the driveway and not the business itself. I restate my above question: "How much traffic is this video store going to create anyway?"
P.S. It's driving me crazy that in the top photo, three of the "I"s and the last "S" are clearly hung on the fence upside down. Can someone please fix that?
I don't have a dog in this fight. I happened to be at the public hearing on the 9th floor of City Hall last week (because I went down there for the FLW Tillinghast hearing) and I heard a few of the arguments.
The video store appears to be well within their rights.
What surprises me about this debate is that Family Video's history of selling porno never came up. Wasn't this the company that made the news a year or two ago with another location?
While I'm not located in the immediate area, I personally think that Buffalo needs, and should welcome any new business or established business that wants to expand and put more people to work.
probuffalo- you sound more like pro family video to me...do I sense some sort of affiliation here? I have no problem with the store itself, but I will not be supporting it....not because of the driveway issue, but because who rents videos these days? Why are they good people- because they are opening a business in buffalo? What does that say about us as a city? Are you saying we should welcome any business that wants to come in, give them anything they want no matter what? I don't believe we should thank businesses for coming to buffalo they are coming in to make a profit just like any other business. Don't forget that the residents of buffalo are investing in this city as well, and we deserve to be heard as well.
Visit this location....support it. They seem like good people and they are investing all over the Buffalo region. Ohhhhhhhh and driveway. Blame the city if you dont like it Luciano....not companies actually investing in it.
Wal-Mart when you build in Bezenah's back yard you can just copy and paste PRO BUFFALOS comments back to him. After all ' he's just like us remember.
An unbelievably bland and insipid design that ridicules the concept of neighborhood and streetscape. But no one's going to build a Beaux Arts palace to rent out videos. And it already is a Dollar Tree, albeit a Dollar Tree that will have mostly videos on its shelves
For once, I'm actually glad for people taking a stand in stopping a development (or at least trying to alter it) In an area such as Hertel which is like the new Elmwood Village, a walkable and Safe enviroment is what should be expected in development. I know this area well and the side streets off Hertel do tend to have the kids playing in the street ( even I used to play in the street with the neighborhood kids on Commonwealth back in the day) and a drive-way from this video store can be dangerous and also a start to making this end of Hertel start acting like the section between Delaware and Elmwood where it's all open space for parking and fast cars. Anyways, I hope the developer alters the design and leaves the driveway off Sterling Ave.
Let me first say that I am a very, very close neighbor to this proposed driveway...and I am against it. While it is true, that being a resident in the city we should be comfortable with added traffic, and welcome a new business coming in- the mix of commercial and residential areas is why we live here versus the suburbs. However, welcoming a business on a commercial street that is perpendicular to you, and welcoming a commercial driveway on your residential street are two different things. This driveway is going to be located right on top of it's neighbor's residential driveway! We did buy a house on Sterling avenue to be close to Hertel and all that it has to offer but where do we draw the line when the commercial businesses start to encroach on our residential areas? Also, I don't get the argument that so many have been making here- that the driveway will not add traffic to Sterling, and that hardly anybody will have a reason to use the exit on Sterling avenue- then how can you make an argument for the need for it? Clearly if you argue that it will ease traffic flow, you are stating that it will be utilized. The problem is just going to be compounded by the fact that people tend to park on both sides of the street, the sidewalk across from the site is usually full of trucks loading/unloading into the antique shop- so all of these issues make a very messy corner to navigate through. Something has to be done, whether it is a no turn right sign, making Sterling one way or truly enforcing the no parking from the driveway to corner. Oh, and no, I for one am not pleased with the design of the building either, but Martino's wasn't exactly attractive either!
wow..I hope Luciano reads these comments. We should support more out of town businesses like this. Any business that wants to spend money in Buffalo is welcome. Mr. Bezenah did everything by the book from what I see. He met with Neighbors prior to submitting to the city...organized by the councilman. He went through the city approval process. Purchased the land. Met again with neighbors to here their concerns. Do all new business's have to do this? This company should be thanked for coming to our city. A ton of moving out. Support this business!! PS...The new technology for movies is at least 10-15 years away.....Blu Ray is next and guess what..they could rent it.
frita maybe you can work for them.... keep in mind it's gonna be temporary. These people pay more taxes than this one business, they should have a say too! This company will just be a visitor. Go Taxpayers! You pay for it!!!
PS. There is no reason for a parking lot on Hertel. If people want parking lots, if a business needs parking lots, at least hide them off of the public view-shed. Guaranteed that lot will be empty 99% of the time.
Hertel will be an enormous asset to Buffalo in the future. Even more so than it is now, to innovative, community-oriented, green-thinking residents. Main Streets will be back EVEN BEFORE the oil runs out...
I agree complete with "al-alo" for a number of reasons. Why tear-down Martino's? No building should be town down on Hertel, period. I wish Hertel residents and businesses would create some sort of Preservation or Architectural guidelines. We can not keep losing storefronts to poorly designed one-story boxes. Empire Grill is the only new building that even comes close to being sensitive and well-designed.
And the truest comment is the obviously transient nature of a video store! Family Video has no idea, where Buffalo is, or what Hertel means to North Buffalo. There is no place for it on our Main Street.
Buffalo needs to stop settling for new businesses that don't care. We just don't need them that bad!
do they really need almost 30 parking spots. couldn't they have at least tried to make the store look a little bit more like an urban building, it looks like the dollar store on s. elmwood.
A Wellington Road home owner here.
Doesn't Gecko's parking lot dump out into Norwalk (I think) without any issue?
I really do not see that much traffic occurring from this small store. When I go to Blockbuster I never see more that 5 people in the place.
If were building a Walgreens there, then yes… we should be getting our English up.
Just my opinion...
If you have concerns about the look of the builiding, why don't you get off the computer and DO something about it. I can speak of traffic on their street, just like you can't speak for traffic on MY street - you don't live there. The entrance and exit worked fine for years... why should it be changed now. You really believe their won't be porn? They never said NO we are not selling porn. Read what happened in Syracuse if you want to learn about theis company and what they tell people compared to what they DO when the doors open.
BuffaloBloviator: I read in the Buffalo News that this store won't have the porn section (sorry, creepy guys). How can they call themselves "Family Video"? I don't know many families that watch porn together! I, too, was also more upset about that, than traffic issues, but since I found out they wont have it there, my concerns have vanished.
MJWorthington: I totally agree. Majority will be turning onto Hertel, unless they live nearby. I live on Wellington Road and know all about the traffic coming down our side streets, we have kids playing in our street just the same. Even though Sterling is a thru-street to Tacoma or Taunton, I would think the smartest solution would be a no right-hand turn sign to direct all traffic coming out of FV to Hertel.
In my opinion, they should be protesting the design of the building more than anything. Do we really need another crappy-facaded building on Hertel? This place just looks so 80's and dated, but instead it's BRAND NEW! I don't get it.
OFF TOPIC (sorta): Will the FV parking lot be available to park in after store hours? A 30-car parking lot ease a lot of parking issues on Hertel. I've noticed that Walgreens (with their gigantic parking lot), all of a sudden, is looking the other way about this. They used to have security guards regulating the parking lot and now their MIA, allowing people to park there after-hours.
I give these parents credit! Standing up for safety in their community! sounds like not one city official even considered the area and it's families. All these negative people are followers. They don't speak up to protect themselves and their families. They just speak up anonymously through sites like this., and put no action behind their words. Sterling Ave. Resident you make Buffalo Proud. City officials hate people like you, who actually have drive to act on your beliefs! It takes allot of work to do what you're doing! Your opinion is the opinion that matters most... you live there! Stay Strong
GDC - I have to disagree that: Hertel is not the new EV, Hertel is Hertel. I also believe that stating that Hertel is going to be like the section between Delaware and Elmwood is also way off. Hertel is much more densely populated than that section is. Personally, I think this is getting blown out of proportion here. Looking at the blueprint above, it would be easy to close off the drive way to Sterling with grass and or trees.
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There are children dying of starvation all over the world and people are getting this much sand in their vaginas over a freakin' driveway? then why aren't you across the world helping them?
I think it is fair for FV to install some green between the driveway and house. Maybe this could be done. As for the drive, the residents need to look at it this way. Making a left is a bitch. If there was just one "in and out" it is even harder. Some people have no concept of this and pull out of lots in the middle of the driveway. What I would do is simply pull a left onto the side street and park IN FRONT of these houses, even if there were plenty of spots in the lot. Simply because it is easier and faster.
Two sides to look at it.
Again, more "anti-everything unless it's our way" neighborhood guerilla tactics. The reality is, traffic flows better and more safely onto the sidestreet and then to Hertel via a stop sign than it does directly out onto Hertel from the parking lot.
But let's not let reality get in the way of residents complaints and emotions. Hate to break it to you, you bought a house on Sterling, adjacent to a major city thoroughfare that hosts commerical uses, this is what you get. Either move to the suburbs or understand what you're mixed-use neighborhood really entails.
SilentMajority: You are dead-on correct. I personally don’t care either way about Family Video, but the fact that they are putting up such a street-unfriendly building in the city, and why they were allowed to do so is beyond me. I am not opposed to anyone investing in the city, but converting the city into a suburban strip mall is not the way to do it. If the site is/was so desirable, then the Planning board should have told FV what it needs to look like.
Regarding the parking, I also hope that they are better than Walgreens. In terms of the amount of parking, drive by the store on Colvin, almost to the 290; the parking lot there is HUGE (sorry bus-guy) and has never had more than 4 cars in it (but they do have a HUGE (sorry again) glass obelisk).
Mpowers started the bidding at 18 months until it is a dollar tree. Do I hear 12 months?
I don't see what the big deal is???? I'm sure the immediate next door neighbor might not be thrilled, but otherwise cannot see what the problem is. NIMBY's are running wild in the City this week!
WholeLotta: Initially I also thought the driveway provided better traffic flow, but is that car-oriented thinking?
I'm surprised anyone is still building video stores. On demand and online sources like netflix are already putting these type of businesses under.
I've worked for national retailers for years and they are accustomed to negotiating with local planning boards across the country regarding storefront design, square footage, logo placement, night time lighting, etc. This is normal practice and part of their design process. Typically, where planning boards have implemented strict standards, property values trend higher. Buffalo loses on many fronts by not having strong guidelines.
So many of the discussions that we all have here on this website would be moot if only the City of Buffalo would have the testicular fortitude to develop standards.
Let's go over our checklist. Outdated business concept.. check. Even more outdated logo.. check. Generic building design.. check. Zero landscaping between the parking lot and the building.. check. Main entrance facing the parking lot.. check. Business doomed to be closed in two years... check. I'd be curious to see how long the planning board actually spent on this one before they approved it.
I'm missing how this building is anti-family. Cars that would be driving down Sterling will do so whether from this direct drive or from Hertel. I would think it's doubtful there will be much additional traffic on Sterling - Hertel is much more convenient. The side exit is about 150 feet from the corner, do children play in the street that close to Hertel?
Angle the exit to the south so that it's difficult to make a right hand turn out of it or a left hand turn into it, and post a no right turn sign. That would discourage extra traffic on Sterling. Yikes.
buffalo - Sometimes parents drive them in cars on Hertel. I've seen it.
CHILDREN DON'T PLAY ON HERTEL
Don't listen to me, but read MJWorthington's and WholeLottaJibbaJabbah's comments above regarding traffic safety. They say it very well.
they better build a glass block obelisk like the one on millersport
im not a huge fan of the architecture, and i dont know why anybody would want to open a video store (i mean, how much longer can it even stay mildly relevent, 4 years?). and i cant understand why you would tear down a perfectly good building (since the asbestos has to be abated prior to demo anyway). and that awning is awful.
but it is fronted to the corner. it does open onto hertel. it wont carry dirty movies (dang it). rear parking is what new urbanism is about. what are the alternatives? a blockbuster like on Delaware? uuuugh.
can a buffer be better designed? im sure. could the lighting be improved? id bet.
i live over on Norwalk with a parking lot. is it ok for kids on my block to get run over? ill say not so much.
When purchasing a house off of one of the city's major business districts, you should realize that this may happen.
Just for clarification, that driveway has always been there - Family Video did not put it there, which is why it was ultimately corporate's decision on whether or not the driveway stayed or went.
I don't have a dog in this fight. I happened to be at the public hearing on the 9th floor of City Hall last week (because I went down there for the FLW Tillinghast hearing) and I heard a few of the arguments.
The video store appears to be well within their rights.
What surprises me about this debate is that Family Video's history of selling porno never came up. Wasn't this the company that made the news a year or two ago with another location?
On a related note, Eschaton has an interesting post on development: http://www.eschatonblog.com/2008_05_25_archive.html#9056891848405559918
That is what I was thinking. I got to admit that the brand spanking new eyesore of a design was a bigger thing than the driveway. The garishness of the facade is more of a safety hazard than the driveway. I give it 18 months before it is a Dollar Tree.
wow luciano read pro buffalo looks likes Bezenah's on line defending himself to you and his BOSS. "he did everything by the book" BLA BLA BLA
Just for clarification the driveway was never there. It went to a building. not a drive thru, Would anyone like to buy the house next door to this property? Didn't think so. So should they not speak up for themselves and the properly they invested in, If your a parent and your children play in front of your house, I'm sure you get it. People think their won't be traffic but if traffic is so great on Hertel, what makes you think people won't turn in this property and exit on Sterling to avoid the traffic. Don't gang up on your neighbors... support them, you may be put in their situation soon and will want them to support you in the same manor. Residents have just as many rights and businesses! Your taxes put together are way more than this single business. Blame your elected offiicials for putting you in this predicament, and not even letting you know what they approved without your knowledge. Go Families!
SilentMajority and BuffaloDrift - The elected Common Council should pass laws that apply equally to everyone. It wouldn't be good for the Planning Board to impose their personal whims inconsistently - even if you or I personally might agree with those whims.
SilentMajority - Maybe your prediction will come true, but it sounds extreme. Maybe the business model will last longer than many think. Saying it's doomed to close in 2 years sounds wrong.
Outdated business concept.. . Business doomed to be closed in two years... check.
For a long time there might still be enough people who don't own computers or broadband (not the small % of people who read blogs like BR), but who want to cheaply rent DVDs (or whatever physical media becomes in use for movies) to watch movies when convenient. The DVD movie store business will decline a lot, but maybe not as dramatically as the music CD store business did. It's anyone's guess.
...Even more outdated logo.. check. Generic building design.. check. Zero landscaping between the parking lot and the building.. check. Main entrance facing the parking lot.. check
The logo is nobody's business but FV. Generic design isn't a reason to legally forbid something. Their design isn't worse than quite a few other buildings on Hertel anyhow. Do you oppose Burger King, Kmart, and CVS being on Hertel? The Planning Board already did make some requests a wile ago which FV largely complied with.
Many businesses not far from there have entrances facing a parking lot. If Buffalo wants to forbid those in some parts of the city, or for certain business types, then it should define some reasonable criteria fairly and legally. I'd want my council member to vote against banning doors facing parking lots because I don't see why that should be the law, but if the majority votes different from me I'll accept it. Equal protection under the law, please.
Sounds like you're saying the Planning Board should be arbitrary dictators who micromanage using their own personal guesses about business model longevity, personal taste in logos, unwritten dynamic rules about which way a door can face, etc. I hope the real silent majority wouldn't want to empower the Planning Board that much Instead of hearing how the council is biking to work or whining after the fact in a case like Locurto and FV, I'd rather they take a stand one way or another on what the law should be and stop pandering.
Neighbors hate the design but CHILDREN'S SAFETY IS WAY MORE IMPORTANT. It's your job to protect them!
They should at minimum be required to provide a landscaped buffer between the drive and adjacent residence. No parking lot lighting should be allowed to illuminate the adjacent residence either. Night sky technology lighting should be important here as well.
buffalo - A greater risk to children's safety might come from traffic backups and dangerous left turns on Hertel if the Sterling driveway didn't exist.
In addition, Buffalo should welcome companies from out of town and who want to build in commercial districts in the City.
"Just for clarification the driveway was never there. It went to a building. not a drive thru, Would anyone like to buy the house next door to this property?"
Maybe I misspoke. The driveway/connection to the street was always there. What was not always there was a driveway that emptied out onto Sterling. However, there was still a means for A VEHICLE to access Martino's from Sterling.
Here we go again with the "anti-change" movement. (See my post in regards to Pano's expansion). I live on Wellington Rd. myself and yes it is murder making a left onto Hertle during rush hour. Hello!!!! Welcome to city living. While it may not be downtown our zip code is a CITY OF BUFFALO one. I love it here and I am not going to move because of some traffic. I would rather see a nice new building with something to offer me instead of a crappy old TV repair store that I would never go into anyway. Honestly, how much traffic is this video store going to create anyway? I mean come on its not like they are building a Tops or a Wal-Mart there. I hope the store does well, maybe even create some new jobs in a stuggling economy. God forbid we do that now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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