If you live near Ellicott Creek - read this

[4248]

The Town of Lancaster is planning more homes that have raised down stream concerns - If you live along Ellicott Creek - down stream of Lancaster -

Not only does Lancaster allow an extra 18 Million gallons of water annually to be added/pumped into Ellicott Creek - they now want to add more.


From a post in the Lancaster thread : "Within .7 mile of each other, there are 2 proposed projects and their applications for rezones in the Communications for the 7/7/14 Town board meeting.

The project @375 and 391 Harris Hill consists of 175 apartment and 10 single family units
The project @ 5340 Genesee St consists of 184 units.

Regarding the Genesee St project, the county stated -

The submitted plan does not show the FEMA flood plain mapping line. Therefore, the effect upon the 100-year floodplain cannot be determined. It is the Town of Lancaster's responsibility to ensure that the project does not increase the risk of flooding downstream."(Ellicott Creek)

It also doesn't look as there was any traffic study done for either project. With a total of 369 more families projected on roads that have long wait times during the evening drive home, shouldn't a traffic study have been a priority? Harris Hill Rd, Wehrle Dr and Genesee St are all only 2 lane roads in that area." - end quotes.

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If you travel on Harris Hill between Wherle and Walden Ave - you know how traffic is already - now and another 600 to 1000 cars dailey - what about school buses?

If you have concerns please write or call : While phone calls are great - they dont allways get documented.
Letters should be addresses to "Town Clerk" or "Planning Board Liaison" - Thank You !

Town Clerk

Johanna M. Coleman

(716) 683-9028

Town Clerk Johanna M.Coleman
Town Hall
21 Central Ave
Lancaster,NY 14086
Attn: Town Board

Planning Board Liaison Council Member

Donna Stempniak

(716) 683-1610

Town Hall
21 Central Ave.
Lancaster, NY 14086
Attn: Town Council Member/Planning Board Liaison Donna Stempniak

[FMD]

This will pass unless the residents show up at Town hall en mass with pitch forks in hand

[nogods]

What causes the additional water discharge? Are they allowed to discharge waste water into he creek?

[WNYresident]

I believe it is more of water run off because you have parking lots, roads and buildings. You are removing land that could soak up water when it rains and snows.

[grump]

Lancaster exempt from the state's storm water control regulations? Just asking.

[4248]

For years the Town has allowed the Wherle road stone quarry to pump 18 Million gallons+/- a year into Ellicott Creek at/near Genesee Road - just 1/4 east of Harris Hill Road. They don't even stop pumping during high rain events or high water flows.

That not only affects down stream - Clarence & Williamsville - but it insures the land between Stony Road west to Harris Hill - bordered by Pleasant view and Genesee never truly dries out. By keeping that natural sponge area saturated - it causes rain fall runoff from up stream (Alden) and Bowmansville to intensify as it passes through Lancaster towards Glen Park/Falls area and further down stream.

Now this new proposed subdivision and its paved surfaces will send more water into the creek faster. When it was mentioned retention ponds could be used - one of Lancaster's largest developers stated, "As far as I'm concerned - retention ponds are a joke. The same amount of water still gets discharged - maybe slower - but still doesn't change the amount" - this from a guy who used them in the past to persuade Town Planning Board and Town Council Members that retention ponds are the answer to development water run off.

Retention ponds have been a sore subject for many new home owners - some were advertised as ponds and one development sold building lots as "Water Front" -

If you pay flood insurance and live along Ellicott Creek - you need to be aware where that flood water comes from and why.

If you have concerns please write or call : While phone calls are great - they dont allways get documented.
Letters should be addresses to "Town Clerk" or "Planning Board Liaison" - You can also inform you local Town Government Officials and have them voice your concerns : Thank You !

Town Clerk

Johanna M. Coleman

(716) 683-9028

Town Clerk Johanna M.Coleman
Town Hall
21 Central Ave
Lancaster,NY 14086
Attn: Town Board

Planning Board Liaison Council Member

Donna Stempniak

(716) 683-1610

Town Hall
21 Central Ave.
Lancaster, NY 14086
Attn: Town Council Member/Planning Board Liaison Donna Stempniak

[4248]

Update - if you have environmental concerns about added flood issues:

Set Public Hearing Re: Amend Zoning Map Petition Of The Fairways
At Lancaster LLC, 00 & 5354 Genesee Street [Zoning Map: The
Fairways At Lancaster LLC] July 21 @7:15 pm

or write:
Lancaster Town Clerk
21 Central Ave,
Lancaster,NY 14086

Your letter should also request it be copied and given to the Town Board.


If you have flood water issues and live along Ellicott Creek - this could increase those issues.

[4248]

Here we goes again folks - with all the talk about getting ready for some snow melt flooding - no one seems to care Lancaster is sending you millions of extra gallons of water.

I guess they figure our down stream neighbors don't care or don't notice all that extra water flowing down Ellicott Creek -

The last I checked the pumps at the Buffalo Crushed Stone Quarry was still pumping - 24/7/365 into Ellicott Creek.

Even during high water and flood stages they just keep pumping into the creek above Harris Hill off of Genesee Road.

Lancaster's Town Board just keeps renewing their permit - year after year - no restrictions - no water sampling -

The Town Government has known for over 28 years this water affects down stream flooding - they just don't care.

I guess Clarence, Williamsville and Tonawanda don't care either -

FEMA raised our flood insurance again - did you know your rates are calculated by the water and likely hood of Ellicott Creek over running its banks ?