Amherst · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Town of Amherst public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
2190-2200 Wehrle Drive Multi-Family Development Variances
Young Development sought four area variances for setbacks and parcel size to split their 270-unit multi-family project into two financing phases. The site plan and building designs remain unchanged, featuring extensive landscaping and townhome-style units.
Crown Road Community Center Historic Oversight
The commission stepped in to ensure that exterior masonry and stone replacement at the Crown Road Community Center matches the historic character of the building, even though the project is exempt from standard permits due to using federal grant funds.
Worley Avenue Multi-Family Housing Development
Young Development is proposing a 270-unit apartment complex at 2190 Worley Avenue. While scaled down from previous office and apartment proposals, neighbors are raising serious concerns about local water pressure, traffic, and lighting.
Neglect of Historic Property at 22 Chateau Terrace
Residents complained that a historically significant home on Chateau Terrace has been neglected and damaged by adjacent construction.
Economic Development
Amherst just broke ground on a massive $50 million sports and entertainment complex. This huge new 716 Sports Complex is going to completely shake up the local recreation scene.
Bornhava Early Childhood Center Expansion
The board reviewed and denied a major site plan for a massive expansion at Bornhava Early Childhood Center due to missing traffic and parking data.
Special Needs Preschool Expansion at 25 Chateau Terrace
Bornhava sought variances to expand its special needs preschool facility to accommodate a waiting list of over 175 children, drawing minor neighborhood questions regarding drainage and parking.
Uptown Apartments Site Plan Review
The board rejected a multi-family apartment complex plan on Wehrle Drive over severe traffic delay concerns and missing street connections.
Harlem Road Community Center Historic Front Door Restoration
The town is restoring the historic front entryway and doors at the Harlem Road Community Center using federal grant funds. The project involves careful wood restoration, hardware replication, and transom window preservation.
Center for Jewish Life Building Expansion
The Center for Jewish Life wants to build a large addition for its programs, but neighbors and nearby business owners raised major concerns about overflowing trash, property maintenance, and parking spillover onto adjacent lots.
Accessory Dwelling Unit Pilot Program Expansion
Homeowners are utilizing the town's ADU pilot program to build separate living spaces for family members. The board approved two separate permits for properties on Getzville Road and Wayside Court.
Historic Preservation Commission Vacancy
The board interviewed candidates to fill an open seat and recommended Kayla Clark to join the commission.
Regency Commons Sidewalk Waiver Request
Residents and the developer clashed over whether sidewalks should be required along Birch Lane in the Regency Commons subdivision. The board voted to deny the waiver, upholding the original requirement for pedestrian walkways despite developer arguments about private road maintenance and lack of public connectivity.
Transparency for Historic Properties
The commission wants to make sure prospective home buyers know if a house has a historic 'blue rating' before they buy it. They discussed adding these designations to real estate listing data to prevent surprises for new owners.
Town Employee Residency Requirement Modification
The town is considering modifying its residency rules to ease hiring difficulties for civil service and department positions by creating an Amherst resident hiring preference followed by countywide recruitment.
Sidewalk Waiver Request for Birch Lane
An attorney requested a public hearing and waiver for sidewalk installation requirements along Birch Lane, a private street in a patio home community.
Landmark Designation for 1 Cloister Court
The Historic Preservation Commission evaluated a landmark nomination application for 1 Cloister Court, discussing its architectural integrity, Georgian style characteristics, and historical significance. The board advanced the application to a public hearing scheduled for April 2026.
Sawyers Landing Multi-Family Housing Redesign
Developers are replacing two previously planned mixed-use buildings on Dodge Road with a single 126-unit apartment building because they couldn't find commercial tenants. The board hashed out parking layout changes, front-door access, and green space concerns before approving it.
Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital Parking Condition Relief
Kaleida Health asked to drop a requirement to lease 218 parking spots at a nearby church and previously sought to open a gated Bassett Road entrance. While the Bassett Road entrance idea was dropped after massive neighborhood pushback, the board approved dropping the church parking rule.
Proposed Gurdwara Redevelopment Traffic and Parking Impact
Neighbors are worried that a new 20,000-square-foot place of worship at 2345 North French Road will overwhelm local roads, create dangerous turning conflicts, and cause overflow parking problems.
Design Advisory Board Rules of Order
The advisory board reviewed its operational rules and procedures to streamline how it handles meetings and reviews projects.
Georgian Lane Townhome Development Extension
The board extended site plan approval for a 36-unit residential townhouse project on Georgian Lane, allowing the developer more time to move forward.
Holland Heights 17-Lot Subdivision
The board finalized the 17-lot residential subdivision on Dodge Road, ensuring all easements and drainage agreements are properly filed.
St. Paul's Lutheran Church Coffee House Addition
St. Paul's Lutheran Church will build a coffee-shop style community gathering addition, addressing resident concerns about traffic and commercial use by restricting the space to church-accessory activities.
Solar Facility Access Road Variance at 1050 New Road
National In Design received a lot width variance to create an access road for an approved solar project, matching neighborhood standards without causing negative impacts.
Legacy Village Affordable Senior Housing Proposal
An 81-unit affordable senior housing building is planned for Maple Road, addressing the local demand for housing for residents aged 55 and older. The project received site plan approval and a design exception after meeting town and fire safety standards.
South Linden Street Multi-Family Townhouse Development
A 28-unit multi-family townhouse development with garages is planned off Wehrle Drive, serving as a transition between commercial areas and single-family homes. The board approved the site plan, negative declaration, and a sidewalk waiver for McIntire Road.
Residential Density and Multi-Unit Housing on Joe McCarthy Drive
The developer secured approvals and renewed variances to build a 4-unit and a 48-unit apartment complex on Joe McCarthy Drive, which will also fund a critical $500,000 extension of the dead-end roadway.
Traffic Congestion and Commercial Development Concerns
Residents expressed concerns about traffic congestion around commercial developments like Seven Brew and proposed projects including a place of worship on North French Road. They questioned notification procedures and traffic studies for high-impact sites.
Migrant Housing
A recent stabbing at the Amherst Red Roof Inn has residents and local leaders asking tough questions about safety and the town's ongoing migrant housing plan. It's bringing the whole relocation effort under a harsh spotlight as people worry about community security.