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Preservation board presses town for notice after Ferry Village demolition, moves to send amended letter
Summary
Advisory board members said they were unaware of recent demolitions in Ferry Village and of pending Rivertown site‑plan activity; the board voted to amend and send a draft letter urging collaboration and better notice to the town board, and discussed pursuing Certified Local Government (CLG) status to unlock grant funding.
Members of the Grand Island Historic Preservation Advisory Board raised alarms over unnotified demolitions and site plans affecting Ferry Village and other historic areas, and moved to send an amended letter urging the town board to collaborate with preservation advisors before permits are finalized.
The chair asked the board to draft a short letter documenting three demolitions in Ferry Village and to recommend that the preservation advisory board be consulted before permits issue. Members repeatedly noted the board had not been notified about the demolition of a historic house at the Ferry end of East River and voiced frustration that the town or developer did not consult the board.
"We were completely unaware," one member said of the Ferry Village demolition. Chair members and others recommended that the draft letter stress that the property is a historical site and that the board should be consulted prior to permits being issued.
Board members also discussed a pending Radisson property sale and urged inviting the realtor and prospective developer when the site plan is filed to discuss preserving the smokehouse and public access to the waterfront.
The group debated pursuing Certified Local Government (CLG) status with the New York State preservation office, which board members said is required before the state will release certain grant funds to homeowners. One member noted, "the state preservation office, Parks and Rec" requires CLG designation for some grant eligibility.
Motion and outcome: A member moved that "the draft be amended with the things we discussed and ready to and sent to the board as soon as possible." Denise seconded the motion; the board approved the motion by voice vote (exact tally not specified in the transcript).
Why it matters: Board members said the preservation board’s input is intended to be advisory but important for identifying historic significance, helping negotiate with developers and unlocking grant money for homeowners. Without timely notice, members said the town loses opportunities to mitigate impacts or negotiate design changes.
What’s next: The chair will amend the draft letter to highlight the Ferry Village demolition, the Webb Road/Rivertown approvals not reviewed by the board and the CLG grant opportunity; the amended letter will be sent to the town board and placed on the advisory board’s next meeting agenda for follow up.
