Delaware Ave Corridor Study and Overlay District

Town of Tonawanda, New York

This assignment for the Town of Tonawanda included revisions to the Town Comprehensive Plan and amendments to the Zoning Code as they relate to a corridor along Delaware Avenue between the Village of Kenmore and the Youngmann Ex-pressway (Route 290). The primary purpose of the study and proposed code revisions was to identify and implement Town actions that will facilitate positive reinvestment and proper redevelopment along this vital commercial corridor. Specific areas of concern included tax structure, zoning, lot layout, landscaping and aesthetics, parking and access.

American reviewed the existing comprehensive plan and zoning code as they pertain to redevelopment along the Delaware Avenue commercial corridor and prepared an assessment. The corridor assessment included: GIS mapping of existing conditions, parking and landscaping, building size and occupancy, stakeholder interviews, characterization of land use patterns and local real estate tax structure. The Corridor Assessment Memorandum included recommended zoning amendments (in the form of a proposed Overlay District) for setbacks, open space, landscaping, parking and access, and architectural design guidelines.

American worked directly with the Town Planning Board, meeting monthly to present results and findings.