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Depew board authorizes advertisement for public hearing on proposed demolition at 47 Main Street
Summary
The Village Board authorized advertisement for a Sept. 8 public hearing on unsafe conditions at 47 Main Street after noting owner noncompliance; nearby property owners and a prospective buyer spoke during public comment asking for time to repair the building.
The Village of Depew Board of Trustees on Aug. 25 authorized the village administrator to advertise a public hearing to consider demolishing a structure at 47 Main Street, citing an unsafe condition and the property owner’s refusal to comply with requirements to remediate the condition. The hearing was set for Sept. 8, 2025, in council chambers at 85 Manatow Street.
The authorization approved by voice vote was limited to placing legal notice for the hearing; board members and staff emphasized that the motion was not the public hearing itself and that comments on the substance of the demolition order would be taken at the public-expression portion of the agenda or at the scheduled hearing. Village Administrator Regina confirmed the advertisement step is procedural and does not itself order demolition.
During the public comment period two people with direct ties to the parcel addressed the board. Mohammed Al Amin said he is under contract to buy 47 Main Street, said he has met with architects and a licensed contractor, and asked for an opportunity to complete exterior repairs before winter. "I like this house, make it nice," Al Amin told the board, asking permission to do outside work before the weather turns. He said he has submitted plans and has professionals lined up to perform the work.
Neighboring property owner Alisa Arlova, who owns 49 Main Street, told the board contractors had entered portions of the adjacent building without giving her prior notice and that the work left debris and created holes that let vermin into her property. She asked to be notified before any work on the shared wall and requested that any mess be cleaned up promptly.
Village officials told both speakers the advertisement authorizes only public notice of the hearing; the board will consider testimony and evidence at the Sept. 8 hearing. Village Attorney Sam Alba and staff advised that if the new buyer wishes to seek delay of demolition to complete repairs, that case and any supporting documentation should be presented at the public hearing so the trustees can consider alternatives to demolition.
The action recorded in the meeting was an authorization for the village administrator to run the ad announcing the Sept. 8 public hearing. No demolition order was executed at the Aug. 25 meeting; the board did not vote on demolition itself.
