Buffalo · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Buffalo public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Establishment of Hospital Hill Historic District
The board is considering creating a new historic district covering ten properties on Washington and Ellicott Streets. If established, exterior changes to those buildings would need preservation review going forward.
Proposed local landmark designations on Broadway and Eden Street
Three new landmark designations are on the table: the Eden Street brick roadway, the Szymanski Building, and former Public School 44. Landmark status protects these places from unsympathetic alteration or demolition.
Nietzsche Building Landmark Designation Proposed
The city is moving to designate the Nietzsche Building at 248 Allen Street as a local landmark; it's headed to Legislation and the Planning Board.
Special Use Permits for Assembly and Electronic Messaging Centers
Gerard Place community center wants an electronic sign on Bailey Ave. to broadcast real-time community services like food pantry hours, GED classes, and workforce training.
Special Use Permits for Local Businesses
The committee held a public hearing and recommended denying a special use permit to convert a residential property into an Islamic center and assembly space. Neighbors and the district council member cited concerns over parking, traffic congestion, and residential scale.
Regulation of Residential Conversions for Assembly Uses
Residents pushed back against converting a house into a mosque, citing parking shortages and traffic in a tight neighborhood.