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Written by Administrator

Category: What's New

Published: 04 September 2008

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VILLAGE HISTORIAN: Marjorie Murray   This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

The Village of Kenmore is "Buffalo's First Suburb". Following the Civil War, the City of Buffalo's population grew tremendously. With the invention of electric streetcars, people were able to live outside of walking distance from their jobs. By 1888, L.P.A. Eberhardt purchased land just north of the Buffalo border and began to build a home.  Churches were erected beginning in 1891 and the first Village store was opened in 1897.

The first school was erected in 1892. The Kenmore Union School was built where the Municipal Building now stands. The school was utilized until 1911 when the Washington School was opened.

In 1889, the Village boasted a horse-drawn omnibus, which ran up and down Delaware Avenue at no charge to passengers. Lots sold for $250.00 and by 1890 nearly 300 people called Kenmore home. There were no sidewalks, streetlights or sewers. Drinking water was scarce and there were only dirt roads.

By 1899, the Village had enough residents to qualify for legal incorporation. 313 persons signed the proposition calling for incorporation. An election was held and the Village was incorporated on September 5, 1899.

The Fire Department was established in 1903 and the Kenmore Police Department was created in 1919.

HOW DID THE VILLAGE OF KENMORE GET ITS NAME?

Former Village Historian, Frederick Parkhurst, explained how the Village was named “Kenmore” in his 1925 book, History of Kenmore. The book explains that Louis Eberhardt, known as the Father of Kenmore, opposed naming the Village “Eberhardt”.  He was responsible for buying up farmland and subdividing the property into a suburban development.  The building which is portrayed on the Village logo is of the Eberhardt  Mansion, located at the corner of Delaware Avenue and Kenmore Avenue. 

The following is an excerpt from Mr. Parkhurst’s book: 

It was proposed calling the village "Eberhardt" ; but firmly
and modestly Mr. Eberhardt said, "No, they might nickname it
'Dutchtown'." But the real reason was Mr. Eberhardt's aversion
to personal publicity and display. The Erie Railroad was
building a station at this time in the north-east section of
Buffalo near Main Street and had chosen the name "Kenmore",
but Mr. Eberhardt with an ear for euphony, appropriated
the name for the fast growing community and the name
"Kensington" was attached to the Erie Station. A sign bearing
the name "KENMORE" was placed at the intersection of Delaware
and Kenmore Avenues, where all who ran might read.

There are several places called Kenmore in the United States,
notably Kenmore in Fairfax County, Va., the home of Washington’s
sister, and a village in Ohio. Probably both these
places, our own village, and other places so named, took their
name from a small island on the south-west coast of Ireland;
or from a village in Scotland.


MANY VILLAGE STREETS HAVE CHANGED NAMES OVER THE YEARS:

Kenwood Rd was called Cattaraugus Avenue

Delwood Rd was called Chautauqua Avenue

Westgate Rd was called Commonwealth Avenue

Argonne Dr was called Linden Avenue

Wardman Rd was called Cornell Avenue

Nash Rd was called Michigan Avenue

Chapel Rd was called Jefferson Avenue

Landers was called Madison Avenue

North End Avenue was called Prospect Avenue

Kenmore Avenue was called East and West Kenmore

Mang Avenue was called Cooke

Victoria was called Ullman

Lincoln Blvd was called Walker.

Crosby Avenue was called East Wabash

Keller was called Prescott Avenue

Kenton was called Miller - Sterling

Delaware Avenue was called West Delaware

Delaware Road was called East Delaware

Parkwood was called East Tremaine

Washington was called Prairie

East Girard was called Perrin

Columbia was called Kelso

Palmer was called Paige

Did you know that there are no Streets in Kenmore?  All of our streets are Roads, Avenues, or Boulevards.

{jslideshow}History/:::slideshow:historygal{/jslideshow}

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Written by Administrator

Category: What's New

Published: 04 September 2008

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The Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) conducts hearings wherein an applicant is appealing the determination of the Building Inspector. Usually, the Zoning Board will review applicant requests for a Use Variance or Area Variance. A variance, when granted by the Zoning Board of Appeals, gives the applicant the legal authority to do something otherwise not permitted under the existing zoning requirements. In reviewing cases, the Zoning Board must follow rules and regulations established under the Village Law and other applicable laws which have been established by the New York State Legislature.

An Applicant may apply for a hearing before the Zoning Board of Appeals only after receiving notice from the Building Department that a particular action is in violation of the zoning laws for the Village of Kenmore. Applicants need to pay a fee and forward a formal request for a hearing. The Letter of Request should include the following information:

1. Name and address of the owner/applicant
2. Property address
3. A description of the project for which the applicant is seeking a variance (i.e. house addition, signage for a business, etc.)
4. Copies of any property surveys

If the applicant is not the owner of the property, the Letter of Request must include a letter from the owner authorizing the applicant to seek relief from the Zoning Board of Appeals.

The Zoning Board of Appeals may require additional information before scheduling a hearing.

Once the Letter of Request is received, a hearing date will be set and the applicant will be notified. Hearings before the Zoning Board of Appeals are held in the Council Chambers of the Kenmore Municipal Building, 2919 Delaware Avenue, Kenmore, New York.

Notice of the Hearing will be published by the Village within 5 days of the Hearing. In addition, the Village of Kenmore will provide notice to surrounding properties located within 100 feet of the subject property. Hearings are open to the public. 

The next ZBA Meeting is scheduled for: 

11/8/23 - 5:30 PM  Re:  211 Stillwell Area Variance Request.

Minutes for ZBA meetings are currently not available on-line.  If you are interested in obtaining ZBA minutes, please contact the Clerk/Treasurer's Office at (716) 873-5700.

Zoning Board Members must be Village residents and are appointed by the Mayor and approved by the Board of Trustees. Each member is appointed to a three (3) year term.  Alternates are appointed to 1 year terms. 


Current Zoning Board members:

Herbert Flemming, Chair         Term expires 6/25

Raymond McCabe                    Term expires 6/23

Gerry Catalano                          Term expires 6/25

Phil Streubel                              Term expires 6/24

Location:
Kenmore Municipal Building
2919 Delaware Avenue
Kenmore, New York 14217       

Phone:
Telephone: (716) 873-5700
Facsimile: (716) 873-0004

Details

Written by Administrator

Category: What's New

Published: 04 September 2008

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COURT Closures Information is listed here:

Court Offices will be closed at noon on 12/22/23 

Offices closed 12/26/23 and 1/30/24.  

The Justice Court handles cases involving traffic and parking violations, Village Code violations, misdemeanors, and small claims matters.

The Village Justice Court is located on the second floor of the Kenmore Municipal Building.   

The Village Justice is elected to a four-year term.  The Acting Justice is appointed to a one-year term by the Mayor, with approval by the Board of Trustees.

Honorable Katherine J. Bestine, Village Justice

Honorable Parker R. MacKay, Acting Justice

The Village is represented by the Prosecuting Attorney who is appointed annually by the Board of Trustees.

Eugene Adams, Prosecuting Attorney

Court is held every Tuesday evening, except on legal holidays.  The Prosecuting Attorney is available beginning at 5:30 PM to discuss traffic violations. 

PAYMENTS ARE ACCEPTED 

Monday - 9 AM - 4 PM

Tuesday - 12 noon - 5 PM (PAYMENTS ARE ONLY ACCEPTED UNTIL 5 PM) 

                  5:00 PM - Court

Wednesday - 9 AM - 4 PM

Thursday - 9 AM - 4 PM

Friday - 9 AM - 4 PM

TRAFFIC COURT STARTS at 5:00 ON TUESDAYS. 

Small Claims matters are held on 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month.

TICKETS

If you have been arrested, given a Notice of Appearance by the police or received a court notice for a criminal matter (any misdemeanor or felony charge) please appear in court on the date indicated on your paperwork.  The court will contact you by MAIL if your court date has been rescheduled.

1.  To plead guilty, fill in Section A and mail the ticket to the Court.  After the Court receives your guilty plea, you will receive a fine letter in approximately 4 - 6 weeks.

2.  To plead not guilty, the Village Prosecutor will contact you via mail about a possible reduced plea.  You will not have to appear in Court.

3.  If you wish to meet with the Village Prosecutor in person to discuss your case, please be at Court at 5:30 on the date indicated on your ticket.

4.  If your address does not match your license, please contact the court to update.

5.  If you have received notice from the NYS DMV, mail or bring in all associated paperwork.

FAILURE TO ANSWER A TICKET ISSUED IN THE VILLAGE OF KENMORE CAN AND WILL RESULT IN THE SUSPENSION OF YOUR LICENSE/DRIVING PRIVILEGES.  PENALTIES FOR SUSPENSION FOR FAILURE TO PAY A FINE OR TO APPEAR IN COURT ARE SUBSTANTIAL.  TO LIFT A SUPENSION, ONCE IT OCCURS, THERE IS AN EXTRA $70 FOR EACH TICKET YOU RECEIVE, IN ADDITION TO FINES AND SURCHARGES.

PAYMENT INFORMATION

1.  Fine payments are accepted in CASH or MONEY ORDER ONLY

2.  You may mail in your payment in the form of a MONEY ORDER to the Village of Kenmore Justice Court, 2919 Delaware Avenue, Kenmore NY  14217.  NO PERSONAL CHECKS will be accepted.

3.  If you require a receipt, please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope,

CONTACT INFORMATION

Telephone:       (716) 873-4554

Facsimile:        (716) 873-4559

Please note that the Justice Court Phone number does not accept messages.

To reach the Court Clerk:

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Please note that the Court Clerk’s office is separate and independent of the Clerk/Treasurer’s Office.  Fines, paperwork and questions concerning the Justice Court can only be accepted in the Court Clerk’s Office (Room 26).

TRAFFIC COURT STARTS at 5:00 ON TUESDAYS. 

Kenmore Justice Court

2919 Delaware Avenue

Kenmore, New York  14217

The Court Clerk’s office is responsible for maintaining Justice records and reports.  Paperwork and fines are accepted during regular court clerk hours. 

NOTE:  The Village Clerk (Clerk/Treasurer) cannot accept court documents or fines.  You must deal directly with the Justice Court Clerk for all court matters.

PAYMENTS ARE ACCEPTED DURING COURT CLERK HOURS, UNTIL 5 PM on TUESDAYS.