Amherst · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Town of Amherst public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
2027 Town Budget and Tax Levy Increase
The town board is reviewing the proposed 2027 town budget and capital improvement program, along with a local law to override the tax levy limit if necessary. These financial plans will guide municipal spending and public investments for the upcoming year.
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.
Storm Sewer and Sanitary Interceptor Infrastructure Bonds
The town is advancing major bond-funded improvements for sanitary sewer repairs and equipment upgrades to maintain core municipal infrastructure.
Demolition of Abandoned Property at 790 Dodge Road
The town is moving forward with demolishing a severely damaged and abandoned property on Dodge Road that has become a haven for squatters, rodents, and fire hazards.
New York State Comptroller Audits
Drescher and Malecki presented the 2025 financial audit, giving the town a clean, unmodified opinion and noting strong operating fund balances and sales tax revenues.
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.
Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) Zoning Regulations
The town is proposing a new zoning rule to allow large-scale battery energy storage facilities in industrial districts to support the electrical grid, raising questions about fire safety and technology safeguards.
Town Term Limits and Public Referendum
The town board considered a commission recommendation to update the 2006 term limits law and place a revised version on the November ballot, sparking a heated debate over incumbent term resets and taxpayer trust.
Battery Energy Storage System Regulations
Residents and firefighters raised severe safety, fire hazard, and toxic smoke concerns regarding utility-scale battery energy storage systems, prompting the board to enact strict safety standards and 500-foot setbacks.
Comprehensive Plan Update Award
The town awarded the Comprehensive Plan update contract to Interface Studio LLC for over $726,000 to guide future town development and land-use policies.
Capital Improvement Bond Resolutions for Parks, Signals, and Roads
The board approved a series of bond resolutions totaling over $2 million for vital town infrastructure, including sewer repairs, vehicle purchases, town hall complex updates, roof replacements, highway building improvements, HVAC upgrades, and senior center repairs.
Town Employee Residency Preference Local Law
Residents and town officials debated a local law establishing a hiring residency preference for town employees. Following public input, the board officially adopted the measure.
WPCF Oxygen Generation System Procurement
The town awarded a major contract for oxygen generation improvements at the water pollution control facility.
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.
Traffic and Parking Congestion on Bassett Road
Kaleida Health wants to open a gated employee entrance onto Bassett Road to ease hospital parking issues, but residents are fiercely opposed due to safety hazards, speeding, and increased traffic in their residential neighborhood.
Wehrle Drive Rezoning for 270-Unit Residential Development
A developer is proposing to rezone nearly 25 acres at 2190-2200 Wehrle Drive from office building to multi-family residential, sparking local resident discussion about neighborhood impact.
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.
Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) Surveillance Expansion
Residents strongly objected to proposed expansions of ALPR camera systems like Axon, raising privacy concerns, lack of oversight, and potential data sharing with immigration authorities.
Fire Protection District Contracts
The board approved annual contracts for multiple volunteer fire companies and fire protection districts to ensure emergency services continue across town.