Latest on the baseball house.....

[FriendsofAN44]

Mayor delays work on team housing project

By JOHN T. EBERTH, The Times Herald 06/17/2005

OLEAN — For a few hours on Thursday, Elmer Grap had a permit to renovate an old nursing home on South 26th Street so members of the St. Bonaventure University Baseball Team can live there. But then Mayor William G. Quinlan issued a temporary stop work order to halt the project.

Mr. Grap is a Maryland real estate developer whose son is a member of the baseball team. Residents of South 26th Street oppose his project, arguing that the college students will change the character of their neighborhood. They’ve asked the mayor and city officials to do what they can to prevent it.

Mayor Quinlan said he’s asked the Zoning Board of Appeals to review Mr. Grap’s most recent application to renovate the nursing home. The board will have up to 45 days to act after the request is presented at their next meeting on Thursday. The board will meet at 7 p.m. in the Municipal Building. They won’t likely act on the matter until the July 14 Zoning Board meeting. Both meetings are open to the public.

On June 6, the Olean Planning Board denied an application from Mr. Grap to renovate the old Valley View nursing home as a multiple-resident dwelling. He submitted a second application Monday to renovate the building as a single-family residence.

Deputy Fire Chief Christopher Young, head of city Code Enforcement, said state law allows a property designated as a single-family residence to be used for college housing. Because Mr. Grap’s application follows state law, Deputy Chief Young issued him a building permit to begin renovations.

Mayor Quinlan issued his stop-work order later Thursday afternoon.

“I don’t think the proposed development at that site fits within the definition of a single-family residence,” Mayor Quinlan said. “There should be some safeguards to preserve the character of quiet neighborhoods.”
Mayor Quinlan said he has asked the Zoning Board of Appeals for a ruling on the definition of single-family residence based on the Olean Zoning Code and the State Zoning Code.

Deputy Chief Young said he issued the building permit based on his knowledge of city and state zoning laws. He said there is established case law supporting the use of single-family residences as student housing. Deputy Chief Young said he issued Mr. Grap a building permit because he believes his application follows city and state zoning law.

Before Mayor Quinlan issued his stop work order Mr. Grap told The Times Herald during a telephone interview that he’d like to begin renovation work at the nursing home within two weeks. The Times Herald has been unable to contact Mr. Grap since the mayor stopped the project.

Mr. Grap assured South 26th Street residents that members of the baseball team will respect their neighborhood and be good neighbors if just given a chance.

[portpasses]

There is also an interesting letter to the editor from Mrs. Grap in today's TH. Not sure if it will be online or not and it's too long for me to type.....

[EddieBall]

Mrs. Grap makes some interesting points as to who the "real" bad guys are in this situation... the statement "I'd rather live next to a crack house than...", by an "innocent" neighbor suggests the time-worn "anti-cake-eaters" are alive and well on 26th street--what's next, an Amish commune, a Hispanic kibbutz, or an IRA terror cell... come on people, what is Olean becoming, for God's sake-- Allegany?!?!

[Friar]

I applaud Mayor Quinlan's directive to the halt Mr. Grap's proposed renovation of a former nursing home to a single residence until more information has been gathered. Mayor Quinlan did the right thing and I would have done the same if I were in his shoes.

From past experience it appears that Mr. Grap has found a loophole to fulfill his desire to have a separate facility for many members of the mens baseball team. Should Mr. Grap win in his pursuit there will be very little the city can do once this soon to be single-family residence is renovated, which use to house approximately 20 senior citizens, is in place. You can bet Merton's Heart more than one person will be residing there. If not, lets look at it from this angle - Mom and Dad are going to put a $250,000 project in place for their child. Wow! Can you say "silver spoon'!

While this has been going on for several weeks there has been enough bad blood brewing to create an unfriendly atmosphere that will more than likely get worse. The neighbors will report any little thing to the authorities and the student (s) will resort to some petty things.

Let me make three proposals: (1) To Mr. Grap - you have good intentions for your son and the SBU mens baseball team but before this thing gets to out of hand please rethink your decision. Save yourself the time and problems you may create by moving forward with this project. YOU WILL BE GETTING PHONE CALLS ALL THE TIME TO DEAL WITH ANY PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS RESIDENCE. BE PREPARED TO HEAR FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, CODE ENFORCEMENT AND THE MAYOR'S OFFICE. BE A MAN AND MAKE YOURSELF AVAILABLE. (2) To SBU university officials - please step in now to avoid any more negative publicity about the university and its sports teams. Do we need any more negative publicity about the university? It is my understanding more layoffs are in the works, pay cuts have been asked of staff, etc. Why create so much ill will with the community that has overwhelming supported you over the years? Mr. Solan, stand up and do your job by preventing these students from moving off campus. (3) Since it appears you are very successful in business (I mean this sincerely - good for you as I am sure you worked long and hard for this) instead of renovating the former nursing home donate the money to the university sports program and perhaps they can find some creative way to accomplish your goal ON CAMPUS!

[B02]

Everytime I see one of these posts, I say to myself do you really think that Coach Sudbrook would allow his players to do this if he didn't trust them. Plus I have a hard time seeing the baseball players throwing a huge party as said before because of location. If the community members wanted to keep it a quiet neighborhood they had the chance to buy the property as well. No one stopped them from buying it when it was on the market, and if this guy wants to put his sons and friends there he has all the right to.

[JS]

Friar-
You can applaud Mayor Quinlan's decision all you want, but case law is pretty clear on this subject and legal decisions determining the meaning of "single-family housing" have consistently been in the favor of student housing. There is no "loophole"; several individuals living in a household sharing communal activities and acting as a family are considered a "single family" for zoning purposes. The University cannot stop students from living off campus if they are upperclassmen, and any suggestion that they should do otherwise is assinine. I'm sorry, but the chances of this house garnering bad publicity for the University are slim to none. You are overreacting, and unfortunately you aren't the only one. These students should not be treated any differently just because they play a sport; accordingly, if they are upperclassmen they can live off campus, end of story.

[k8sbu03]

There is something to be said for the city of Olean if this is one of the hottest issues. With that said... I am glad to have Bonaventure be a part of Olean's happenings, but not in a situation such as the "Baseball House Scandal." Bonaventure is, without a doubt, a community that cannot be fully understood unless one has truly been a part of it. This issue, more than any I have ever experienced, speaks to this statement's truth. Obviously, we have a scenario that involves outsiders looking in. As a recent grad, I can pretty much guarantee you that there won't be very many students willing to leave campus and the immediate Bona "scene" to go to 26th street in Olean. Let's face it, it's not exactly a hot spot. Would there be occasional noise? Sure. I wish you much luck finding neighbors that won't produce any noise. Let's be real, people, you can't choose your neighbors. You also shouldn't assume the worst of a situation that could mean a great expansion for the area. I urge the people that are making blasphemous assumptions about Bonaventure students to please stop. Bonaventure houses the best of the best of our area's youth. It also brings diversity to the area by bringing in people from all walks of life. It combines these to create a community, truly unique to the Olean/Allegany area. Bonas invests back in our community by producing well-rounded, socially equipped young adults, and this is how Olean residents thank them.

As a native of Olean and a dual graduate of Bonas, I am embarassed and ashamed to see this occuring. Please take what I said to heart and re-think your attitudes.

Go Peaches. Go Bonas.

[Friar]

I believe most of you are missing the point. First, the loophole is the former nursing home is being renovated for a single family residence. You and I both know that could mean as few as three or as great as 10 depending on one's definition of "family." For those of you who don't know South 26th Street it is a dead end street that is narrow. Parking will be an issue. Has the developer addressed this issue? According to zoning law there needs to be 1 1/2 parking spots for every bedroom. Does this property have that for off street parking? Maybe not yet but it will have to conform to law.

Secondly, you have once again misunderstood these residents and many other Olean residents. Olean welcomes diversity and the Bona students. To say we don't is absurd. Just because Bonas has a signficant economic impact in the area doesn't give it the right to throw its weight around. Put yourself in these residents shoes and ask yourself - would you want this in your neighborhood? If you are honest most would say no. All one needs to do is look at the problems Allegany has with Bona students. The Bona PR department spends a great deal of time putting out fires.

The Friar

[MIKE MACALUSO]

olean--the land of expansive thinking and foresight...look 20 or so miles to the northwest of olean..you have ellicotville. obviously, nice skiing and nice golf...along with these activities comes different types of housing and restaurants and bars [and the attendant problems, least of which is the flow of narcotics] having grown up in the olean area, i have watched for the last 25 years how a distinct lack of imagination, foresight and creativity have stifled any economic development in the enchanted mtn area. yes, olean is a regional shopping hub..but there is no distinct character which many towns the size of olean have. the economy is terrible, the housing market is terrible and there has been no success in taking advantage of the beautiful 4 season scenery that exists in the area. to an outsider, olean looks like run down town that time forgot. hey, if i am an outsider who has a child at sbu, i would look into the same thing..buy some cheap real estate in a depressed market and let my kid and his buddies bunk there. like someone posted above, if the fine folks on 26th street dont like to have neighbors, move out to pastoral allegany and buy 5-10-15 acres for your own shangri la. many people do this. if what mr. baseball dad is trying to do is legal, he should be able to do it. if the guys get out of hand, they suffer the consequences...olean should stop trying to operate like typical ny state democrats--too much control of environment is bad for biz...wade in the water !!!

[k8sbu03]

With all of this debate, it is impossible to decifer who is right and who is wrong. Really, it is quite a futile effort. A conclusionary note, however: If the people in opposition knew anything about the nature of recent SBU men's baseball teams, this never would have become an issue in the fisrt place, and construction would be underway.

Honestly, the team will probably be better off in another neighborhood. Mr. Grap: The sentiments expressed do not represent the opinion of all people in the area. I say, move on and find a neighborhood that will welcome you without unwarranted judgment, and will appreciate a $250,000 facelift of an old building on their street. Meanwhile, the people on 26th Street can enjoy the crack house inhabitants that they would rather have for neighbors.

Vote for Peaches.

[LumsdnA10Academc98]

I agree with much of Friar's original post. Who wants to live in a neighborhood where one is not welcome by one's entire neighbors? Does Bona really need more negative PR? What's to fall in love with about a run-down nursing home in need of mass renovations, anyway? Why not move on and browse the buyer's market that is Olean, NY?
Anyone who thinks problems won't quickly arise throughout all of this badly mistaken. The residents of 26th St., which include many prominent Olean individuals, have it out for the kids and they haven't even moved in yet. For these young representatives of St. Bonaventure, it's not "if," it's "when."
Also, to clear things up, the whole "crack house" comment, which was certainly a poor choice of word, was made in complete jest. Just like nobody wants to live in a neighborhood where one is unwelcome, no one wants to live near a crack house. A man made a joke that's been taken way too literally.

[bona03]

Ok, I have read all these posts in the last few weeks and frankly I think everyone is completly blowing this whole situation of proportion. I graduated in 03 and lived with baseball players and let me tell you what, it's not a 24/7 party. They are division I athletes who have major responsibilities, between lifting, practice and schoolwork. My roommates went out once maybe twice a week. Give the kids a break. It's as if everyone is just assuming they are going to destroy your neighborhood cause they are athletes. I bet you all would all be singing a different tune if it was basketball players living in the house.

[bonniesin2k6]

Have any of the neighbors met any of these baseball players that might be living there? This seems like quite the character judgment and generalization. Maybe they should at least meet with them if they haven't already. They have two choices if this goes through:

1. move
2. call the police and let them sort it out. After the 1st call to the police I can guarantee things won't be getting too out of hand. After the 2nd, the reisdents probably won't be living there. After all of this talk I'm sure the police will be making their rounds in that area more frequently.

As for the baseball players...... it's not worth this hassle, why bother living somewhere where your neighbors don't welcome you?

It's clear they won't have any parties there. Who the heck wants to travel out there for a party?

As for the rest of you, shouldn't we be talking about other more interesting things. Start an Olean messageboard for junk like this. This is an Olean matter.

[Friar]

Really folks, this issue is about a few things. None of which is political. By the way the last time I checked we have a Republican president and Governor(NYS), Congress controlled by the Republicans and so is the NYS senate. It has nothing to do with politics so please give me a break! You can't blame this on Democrats, or Republicans for that matter.

Mainly I am concerned for two reasons. The first being the residents who may have a legitimate concern. People want to protect their neighborhoods as much as possible. We would all do the same if there was a project going up in our neighborhoods. Not all of us are fortunate enough to live in a gated community. Many of you aren't familiar with the South 26th Street but it has always been a quiet street with nice homes. Many of the residents lived on the street when the nursing home was in operation. They peacefully co-existed and to the best of my knowledge there were very few problems. Over the years many things have happened to alter the character of the neighborhood - the development of K-Mart Plaza, increased traffic along 417 (West State Street) and increased noise just to mention a few. People living on the street can't even make a left hand turn if they wanted to. They now have to travel to Tops a few blocks down the road and use the traffic light there. I can envision some student running late for class and using some poor judgment turns left because he/she thinks they can make it and a serious car accident occurs.

My second concern is the bad publicity that will follow the university around for years to come if this is not a successful transition. I don't know about you but I have heard enough bad publicity about SBU to last me a life time. If the slightest bit of bad news reflects poorly on the university. I want SBU to flourish and regain its past, glorious image. Don't you? I am sure if we all put our heads together we could reach a better solution for the residents and the baseball players.

For the record, I know some of the residents who live on the street. These people are not backward hicks. For the most part they are hard working people, many of which have a college education. Olean is not back wards. We have our fair share of problems like a majority of small cities in the northeast. This isn't an excuse but know that I am more frustrated than you by our seemingly lack of progress. For God's sake look at the problems Erie County is having. My guess is Olean and many communities around could open up the gates and literally give tax break after tax break to companies and they won't come here. Why? Take your pick of reasons. My hope is that will change some day.

[kcSBU03]

I have to agree with my fellow 2003 alums here. I think this is being blown way out of proportion. 26th street is way too far away for kids on campus to travel out to, espeically with the great weather of upstate NY. I used to walk to Allegheny for parites in the dead winter and wonder how i was able to do that so the thought of going all the way out to 26th street isnt an appealing one. Also i think the baseball players are getting a bad rap here. I also knew quite a few players from recent teams and agree with bona03. They really didnt go out all that much between their aggressive training and classwork. The fact that there has already been a clash between residents there and a student is sad. I never had a problem with the locals of Olean and Allegheny but i thought that people in general were a little more understanding and compassionate than that but if you want to make that bed and not let those kids live there then you better be prepared to lie in it when someone else who may be less desireable moves in.