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.

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.

In addition, Buffalo should welcome companies from out of town and who want to build in commercial districts in the City.

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.

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?

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?

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

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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!

Just put a no right turn sign on the sterling exit

There's plenty of free porn on the internet. You would have to be foolish to purchase it.

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.

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. ?????

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.

0 ratings12345 Today, 14:08

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?

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.

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...

Wellington Rd. too bad they didn't put the store on your corner!

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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm surprised anyone is still building video stores. On demand and online sources like netflix are already putting these type of businesses under.

Buffalo.... they didn't

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?"

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.

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!

Neighbors hate the design but CHILDREN'S SAFETY IS WAY MORE IMPORTANT. It's your job to protect them!

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.

CHILDREN DON'T PLAY ON HERTEL

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.

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.

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.

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?

On a related note, Eschaton has an interesting post on development: http://www.eschatonblog.com/2008_05_25_archive.html#9056891848405559918

1029 Your correct it's not a Tim Horton YET.... Then what? Oh ya too late!

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

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.

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.

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.

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!!!