(WNY News Now) – Olean, NY – The City of Olean is inviting residents to participate in the second public meeting for its Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP) on Monday, October 7, 2024, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the John J. Ash Community Center.

The City of Olean has announced that the second public  meeting of the Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP) will be held on Monday, October 7,  2024, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the John J. Ash Community Center, located at 112 N. Barry  St., Olean, NY 14760. Community members are encouraged to attend to provide valuable input  and feedback. A presentation will begin at 6:15 p.m. followed by an open house. The  community can learn more about the CDP at https://cityofolean.org/comprehensive development-plan/. 

The City of Olean has been crafting a new (CDP),which will provide an overview of the planning  process and discuss the critical issues the community faces, while also identifying key assets and  challenges that will lead to the long-term vision of a vital and dynamic Olean. It will also provide  a blueprint for development, preservation, and enhancement of residential, commercial, and  industrial neighborhoods as well as public facilities, infrastructure, and greenspaces. The CDP  will establish a shared community vision for the future and an action plan to achieve it. The  City’s last Comprehensive Plan was adopted in 2005 and it helped guide the City through  development and capital investment decisions. The City of Olean Common Council anticipates adopting the CDP in late Fall of 2024. 

The Comprehensive Development Plan is led by a Task Force Committee (TFC) which provides guidance for the project and helps to ensure that the study addresses issues relevant to the  stakeholders. The TFC is composed of residents, representatives of local organizations and non profits, and City officials. The Committee holds meetings as needed. Membership of the  committee includes: 

William J. Aiello, Mayor  

Tom Buttafarro, Jr., St. Bonaventure University  

Jeff Belt, Resident 

Olean Municipal Building • 101 East State Street • Olean, NY 14760 • http://www.cityofolean.org 

John Crawford, Common Council  

Bob Forness, Olean Business Development 

Jennifer Forney, Common Council  

Frank Higgins, District 8 County Legislator  

Adam Jester, Resident  

Keri Kerper, Olean Community Development  

Henri LaMonthe, MD, Olean General Hospital  

Lenny Ligouri, Resident  

Chief Eric Maurouard, Olean Fire Department  

Reed McElfresh, Planning Board  

Dr. Genelle Morris, Olean City School District  

Ryan Reed, Code Enforcement  

Chief Ron Richardson, Olean Police Department  

Zane Smith, Resident  

Paula Snyder, Jamestown Community College  

Kelly Sweet, Zoning Board of Appeals 

Benjamin Slotman, DPW  

Melissa Keller, NYSDOS 

Benjamin Bidell, NYSDOS 

The City of Olean Comprehensive Development Plan Task Force Committee approved a  Community Participation Plan (CPP), which outlines public involvement in the planning process.  The opportunities for engagement thus far included a citywide survey, a public meeting and a  pop-up event. This is the second of two public open houses to be hosted as outlined in the CPP. 

The project has been paid for entirely by grant funding awarded by the NYS Department of  State, NYS Empire State Development, Cattaraugus County, Siemen’s Initiative Fund and first instanced by the City of Olean. For questions about the City of Olean’s Comprehensive Development Plan, please contact: Keri  Kerper, Community Development Program Coordinator, at kkerper@cityofolean.org.