[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6613239,"mediaKeyId","2875620-9ca13b2a56e6475da5e5ee17c78c3a97","parentId",2875620,"title","Grand Island committee moves to engage state—pro-housing and town-center grant opportunities","audioSeconds",3185,"startMs",82885,"endMs",3268865,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2875620-9ca13b2a56e6475da5e5ee17c78c3a97&start=82&end=3268","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2875620-9ca13b2a56e6475da5e5ee17c78c3a97/thumbnail_82885.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6613239/Grand-Island/Erie-County/New-York/Grand-Island-committee-moves-to-engage-statepro-housing-and-town-center-grant-opportunities","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6613239-7de8d94c4d8ea18c3d9880d3bd344160/orig.mp4?Expires=1775197364&Signature=QhqELCS9~AY2KUnA4uFQolmkICLg3aL3UjuiE07c88Ga8rbNFS3s~n2DeySBK-CqUjB50E3F5TLUD8Fn89JLlWz7tCbF3QX9gCKg5fsueEpUggWa99DOrj7QvBv2C0~dwX~qCqcd6KTylTQIEO7qKTlaPpMRMF6I0Czx0mYh5nv3ZEEnE-vWTzUmRWBhDCBYofQuEcgkZgGtfgyxJBL7M9boXty-Lz5P~HTHMUMmOYzp3jPlyyHLvVmELBPOUhTDKxgCxCdwUULCHy69413p48LUGPwlmS5gJRr5Y-dvdhfbdW7cIhooYnbnmgB-28~qBejGby4BmrE-7WRggKHfUg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Grand Island, NY","date","2025-04-04T14:30:57.247Z","article","Jim (committee member) opened the discussion saying he wanted the committee to \"talk about grants\" that had been identified by consultants and state agencies. He described a packet that \"was submitted to us\" and emphasized a program described in state materials as a \"pro housing\" community initiative that could help the town qualify for Main Street USA-style town-center grant funding.

The committee heard that the pro-housing effort is currently a data-gathering exercise rather than a requirement to adopt specific affordable-housing programs. \"It isn't saying that we're going to have, what do they call that, title 8? Section 8,\" Jim said, noting the materials emphasize high-density housing as a scoring factor. He and other members argued parts of Grand Island already meet the high-density indicator because of projects planned or under way downtown.

Pete (planner) and others described a parallel application process for community centers and park/trail grants administered through programs including DASNY (Design and Construction of State-funded facilities), the state Environmental Protection Fund/CFA, a statewide swimming facilities program, and a recreational trails program. Pete and staff advised the group that some programs were still soliciting feedback to shape scoring criteria and that returning a thoughtful questionnaire or letter of intent would help Grand Island be counted and considered when the state finalizes application materials.

Eric (staff member) and Jim outlined practical hurdles: many state grant tracks require site plans, cost estimates and narratives up front, which can cost thousands of dollars to assemble. Jim said the committee should weigh whether to pause some internal work to pursue short-deadline grants or instead continue the master-plan public outreach that provides the technical narrative grant writers use.

Committee members discussed priorities. Rhonda noted the recreation master plan work creates the narrative and consensus that strengthen grant applications: \"Once it's in the master plan, you've got the narrative and you have the consensus and you have the vote,\" she said. Several speakers urged selective, coordinated pursuit of grants rather than applying to every program that opens.

On the pro-housing effort specifically, Pete confirmed he was preparing a letter of intent so Grand Island could \"get in line\" for future competitive grant rounds. He and others emphasized the letter does not commit the town to build anything, only to share data and be part of the state's information-gathering process.

The committee asked staff to keep the group updated on deadlines and to begin planning in August for any October application windows that would require materials to be ready by fall. No formal appropriation or binding commitment was made at the meeting.

Ending: The committee agreed to monitor the various state grant timelines closely, prioritize grants that match the town's master-plan goals (town center, trails, parks), and proceed with preparatory work (narratives, scope-of-work documents and site estimates) so the town can respond quickly when application windows open.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","4/2/2025 Comprehensive Plan Review Board","oneSentenceSummary","Jim (committee member) opened the discussion saying he wanted the committee to \"talk about grants\" that had been identified by consultants and state agencies.","taxTitle","Grand Island, Erie County, New York","taxId",54969,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6613229,"Parks and recreation: drainage, pavilion work and community programming move forward",138,6368304,6506375,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2875620-9ca13b2a56e6475da5e5ee17c78c3a97&start=6368&end=6506","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2875620-9ca13b2a56e6475da5e5ee17c78c3a97/thumbnail_6368304.jpg","/articles/6613229/Grand-Island/Erie-County/New-York/Parks-and-recreation-drainage-pavilion-work-and-community-programming-move-forward","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6613229-563c4864134cdedfcf95c01fc7b782ed/orig.mp4?Expires=1775197364&Signature=X~WKPsakfybmgjNwShICeJe2ukUHUktP6irHpxtNLBNG-ZLgBgmq30b9U~XQ6Ojz~2gPH4QzyZeGdsVKS-K6toA708VQYgop-2FgFa6Ni73dTbrQkL3lHYPdAijfBBA0yqgOqU4VvNIHGcSznmbRP6~FRsbLBRk823BrkP8mpSjFIltJsEDR8mqYlwIRWax-SGG3EVpWsobHCsCX8ZWmBY1m5TAS8XryRcF9F8EP1Mp5nf5RsQNhLmQiT5ChRUMRS-zAg4ffNVntepsEU7GRVdPAt34~-CRIMv200H0ykHxMf9BhvSS7UsNYBvLwpTEBda6BWezMWx8kioZ7rMBasQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Committee members provided updates on several parks and recreation items tied to the Recreation Master Plan.

Eric (staff member) and others reported an active RFP process for Veterans Park drainage and noted a grant application that was discussed as a roughly $500,000 opportunity to help rehabilitate playing fields and drainage. The committee said the drainage work would improve field conditions and maintenance.

Members reported that pavilion construction at the Nike Base has begun and that the \"sticks are in\"; Brian (contractor/project lead) and staff are coordinating finishing work and parking improvements. The committee also noted the town is pursuing removal of two deteriorating buildings on the Nike site.

A Miracle League accessibility project was described as ongoing; committee members said they need to confirm remaining funding and next steps before committing to additional town work. Geese mitigation at Veterans Park was discussed: parks staff are investigating options including use of deterrent dogs, following models used in neighboring communities.

Members reviewed trail maintenance priorities and a few small trail-connection ideas (including a short informal link between Park Place and adjacent open space). The group reiterated that some potential trail connections would require careful design and possibly up to half a million dollars to construct if full trail improvements, screening and stormwater measures were needed.

Ending: The parks subcommittee will continue working with staff and consultants to finalize grant applications and construction schedules; members asked staff to coordinate timelines with grant windows and to report back when key milestones (RFP results, grant awards, pavilion schedule) are certain.","Committee received project updates: Veterans Park drainage RFP work and a potential $500,000 grant, pavilion construction at the Nike Base has started, Miracle League progress and geese mitigation pilots were discussed; committee reported ongoing coordination with consultants on master-plan deliverables.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6613234,"Committee refers Chapter 253 regrading/fill rules to zoning reform committee after shoreline, floodplain concerns",1394,4441951,5836310,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2875620-9ca13b2a56e6475da5e5ee17c78c3a97&start=4441&end=5836","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2875620-9ca13b2a56e6475da5e5ee17c78c3a97/thumbnail_4441951.jpg","/articles/6613234/Grand-Island/Erie-County/New-York/Committee-refers-Chapter-253-regradingfill-rules-to-zoning-reform-committee-after-shoreline-floodplain-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6613234-e866ed6c7536941f2a6fb60e24947fb4/orig.mp4?Expires=1775197364&Signature=kdNzE5nkG9~cB5TUsIe6CW8d4G8GUuY~N8281lJ727S58t47mVkSb5mmNAzkbqp-IESh9nAsBuDkzr2YNPBn6acyYffCFOzrOXeY2VWM-hYe7Hakd0iep5J9HirBzoPg9v0xp8V-c3KhaqHrRrTSAzycKnEK~57nLA5I9M4nly7FYCVy9xVGCKRzXXl5w366fhQvVcOOJC6JOmvy-0sk2A8jaTWFLr4sOxdy2lwMg9sVIEUQwuQ0a35yd7YnRs7ewr8a76CPXTQjARysRIWmi8Ri99ZiXXh-BPB3-WmPw2JK3HfsptcGdriGTIESWq2XMASHuZ7EJz-PWOcxigY63w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Committee members spent significant time on a technical review of local grading and fill rules after engineers and residents raised concerns about recent building activity along the riverfront.

Ron (engineer) and other participants described instances where new construction elevated lots several feet, changing drainage paths and creating taller retaining walls that can concentrate runoff onto neighboring parcels. \"They're building the houses up by 6 feet to beat the flood plains so they can skip flood plain insurance...but in the meantime they're towering above\" nearby older homes, Ron said. Members expressed concern about impacts to adjacent properties, erosion and long-term shoreline stability.

Bob (engineering) and others reviewed proposed language changes and technical details. Committee members worried that a strictly FEMA-driven approach could create inconsistent results for Grand Island, where many lots and cottages were built under older grades and rules. \"We need to have our own home rule just so we don't get the... duck, duck, goose mentality,\" one member said, urging locally tailored standards.

After discussion, the committee agreed to refer the town's Chapter 253 (regrading and filling of land) to the Zoning Reform Committee for review and recommendation to the town board, and to include engineering and code-enforcement staff in that referral so technical implications are addressed. Rhonda read proposed referral language and the group requested that the zoning committee treat the item as an action item on its agenda.

Ending: Committee members asked staff to coordinate a daytime meeting among planning, engineering and code enforcement to produce examples and to prepare draft recommendations for zoning reform consideration.","After an extended discussion of grading, retaining walls and how recent FEMA guidance affects riverfront lots, the committee recommended sending the town's Chapter 253 (regrading and filling of land) to the Zoning Reform Committee with input from engineering and code enforcement.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Grand Island committee moves to engage state—pro-housing and town-center grant opportunities

Parks and recreation: drainage, pavilion work and community programming move forward

Committee refers Chapter 253 regrading/fill rules to zoning reform committee after shoreline, floodplain concerns