Amherst · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Town of Amherst public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.