Homeowners opposed to heightened Hyatt

SNYDER, N.Y. (WIVB) - Plans for a hi-rise Hyatt are raising a neighborhood stir in Snyder, where residents sounded off at a Thursday night meeting.

Iskalo Development plans to build a six-story Hyatt Place hotel on Main Street in Snyder. The upscale, 137-room Hyatt would be built on a wooded area, bordered by the Lord Amherst Motel, I-290, private homes and what's known as "Mike's Pond."

Some neighbors on Livingston Parkway say, the hotel is not welcome.

Michele Marconi of "Friends of Mike's Pond" said, "I think that it's inappropriate, in a place like Snyder. Snyder is a sleepy little, single-family, residential neighborhood."

Amherst Town Boardmember Mark Manna said, "There's a place for six-story hotels and larger. And it's certainly not in people's backyards in Snyder."

"It's noise, traffic; the environmental spoilage of one of the most beautiful, pristine areas, which is 'Mike's Pond,'" Marconi added.

About 100 residents turned out Thursday to share their feelings about the hotel, many wearing red to show opposition. Iskalo was invited to the meeting, but did not attend. Instead, the company sent Marconi a letter.

In its letter, Iskalo writes that, "with the exception of a notable few," it appears the residents are pursuing what Iskalo calls "aggressive tactics," both against the project and the company.

Marconi countered, "The Iskalo folks have failed to reach out to the community at all, despite what they may say publicly."

Iskalo's letter says it has moved the hotel further away from "Mike's Pond" because of the public concern, and that the company "will continue to communicate with those residents... willing to engage... in a respectful and straightforward manner."

Manna agreed, "Compromise is always the best solution. Push it back as far from the residents as possible."

The Amherst Planning Board is still reviewing the Hyatt project. But Manna told News 4 Thursday night, "The homeowners appealed to the State Supreme Court and lost;" he said, "I don't know what know what other avenues they have to stop it."