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.