Amherst Planning Board Backs Rezoning to Allow Housing in Research Parks

Amherst's Planning Board voted to support rezoning three Professional Research Park districts to allow housing development alongside the commercial and research uses now permitted there. The change would enable townhouses, apartments with no unit limit, and mixed-use projects on properties that have remained largely undeveloped for decades.

At its July 1 meeting, the Planning Board reviewed a proposal from member Angus McLeod to open these underused zones to residential development as the town seeks to increase its housing stock. The three affected areas are located on Route 9 near Greenleaves Drive in the western part of town; on property between Montague and Sunderland roads where Beacon Communities had proposed a 140-unit affordable housing project before withdrawing; and off Old Belchertown Road on the eastern border. McLeod acknowledged that much of the land contains wetlands and other constraints that limit developability, but said the zoning change would align with the town's current housing priorities.

The board's housing subcommittee had already endorsed the idea. Walker Powell, the town planner, said the owner of the Greenleaves property had expressed frustration over being unable to develop the site under current zoning. Board member Roy Johnson volunteered to contact all three property owners to discuss their development interests.

The proposal will next go to Building Commissioner Rob Morra and Planning and Economic Development Director Jeff Bagg for input, and must also be reviewed by the Community Resources Committee before advancing further. McLeod said apartments would be the most efficient way to create the most housing, though planner Powell asked whether smaller homes for first-time buyers should also be considered. McLeod noted that adding small lots and starter homes would require more complex zoning changes.

The board also discussed the failed Beacon project on Montague Road, which was withdrawn after residents filed a lawsuit. Board member Bruce Coldham said opposition at a public listening session was strong, partly because the developer's designs were unpopular and the proposed buildings were four stories tall. He noted that residents had supported a similar affordable housing project by Valley CDC across the street, which was only two stories. Powell added that extending sewer service to the Beacon property would have required the town to apply for grants.

Planning Board member Jesse Mager expressed hope that the lawsuit would not deter future housing developers from working in Amherst. McLeod said he regretted that litigation had been filed before any formal development documents were presented, calling it an obstacle to the town's normal review process.

In another matter, the Planning Board continued a hearing on the Amherst Community Land Trust's affordable housing project at 174 Amity Street to July 15. The project would add a Habitat for Humanity duplex and three townhouses to create five affordable ownership units. The board had questions about electrical transformer placement and screening, the condition of a fieldstone path that would serve residents with mobility challenges, and the appearance of a split-rail fence along the property's wetlands. The group has raised $300,000 from the Municipal Affordable Housing Trust and $450,000 from the Community Preservation Act and hopes to close on the property by July 31.