Southtowns Record

TBA02.23.2026packet

Government
Town of West Seneca
Board
Town Board
Meeting
Feb 23, 2026, 6:00 p.m.
Posted by publisher
Feb 21, 2026
Kind
Agenda packet
Topics
Budget and taxes, Water, sewer and drainage, Zoning and land use, Public safety, Parks and recreation, Roads and traffic, Audits and oversight, Housing, Moratoriums, Short-term rentals

Original document

Same meeting

Text · page 8 of 192

WEST SENECA COURT ROOM  DRAFT TOWN BOARD PROCEEDINGS
1250 Union Road  Minutes - Meeting # 2026-03
West Seneca, NY 14224  February 9, 2026

Clinton Street and what response the applicant received. Ms. Vakiener stated the applicant offered to
add a sidewalk to the end of the property, and NYSDOT does not have plans to widen the bridge.

Supervisor Dickson requested additional information about the apartments, including the number of
bedrooms per unit. Ms. Eicholtz stated the proposal includes 1, 2, and 3 bedroom units. Supervisor
Dickson asked if the location would include a mix of income. Ms. Eicholtz stated the anticipated
range 30 - 80% varying range of income, or between $21,000 - $95,000 per year.

Councilmember Sherman asked where the shelter in place would be located. Ms. Eicholtz stated the
location has been moved from the mansion to the first floor of the multifamily building to meet one of
the funding sources design requirements.

Councilmember Breidenstein requested information about the funding sources. Ms. Eicholtz stated
the project is intended to be funded through the IRS code that allows for low-income housing tax
credits and has been in place since the 1980s. Councilmember Breidenstein asked where the funds
would come from to fund this project and expressed concerns about approving a project that has not
secured funding. Ms. Eicholtz stated the projects are funded through a competitive application
process through New York State. Projects that score high enough receive an award of tax credits, the
tax credits are transferable. Home Leasing sells the tax credits on the market and in return for the
tax breaks the buyers gives Home Leasing equity for the project which helps cover the gap between
a permanent mortgage and the remainder of the building costs. Home Leasing must go through the
approval process before applying for the credits. Councilmember Breidenstein expressed concerns
about the increasing electricity costs and who would cover the increasing energy costs. Ms. Eicholtz
stated the utilities would be the responsibility of the tenants but will be discussing these issues with
NYS. Supervisor Dickson asked if the applicant was receiving $500,000 from Erie County. Ms.
Eicholtz confirmed this was correct.

Councilmember Robertson asked for confirmation that the new facility includes a natural gas
generator back-up. Ms. Eicholtz confirmed this is correct.

Councilmember Piekarec asked if the project was all electric because of the NYS mandate, not the
applicant's choice. Ms. Eicholtz confirmed this as correct.

Councilmember Breidenstein asked for additional details about the type of back-up generator that
would be installed. Ms. Eicholtz stated the generator would use natural gas. Ms. Vakiener stated per
NYS guidelines for shelter in places, the generator must keep heat, water, restroom facilities, and
elevators online for three days after an outage. Councilmember Breidenstein asked if there is a long-
term plan for extended outages. Ms. Eicholtz stated there would be an operating and maintenance
plan.

Councilmember Robertson stated that a town resident with an all-electric home has a $1,000 per
month electric bill and asked how tenants of this development would be able to afford their utility bills.
Ms. Eicholtz stated the current proposal has reduced the energy costs, and are pursuing energy
programs to mitigate costs. Councilmember Sherman asked if tenants would be aware of the rising
costs for electricity.

Public comments were received as follows:

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