Janet Keller: Glad inclusionary zoning changes are advancing
Amherst Town Hall
Published: 5/27/2021 7:00:17 PM
The Amherst Planning Board and the Community Resources Council (CRC) held hearings on May 19 on changes to the inclusionary zoning bylaw and a proposal for a six-month suspension on permits for development in and around downtown.
I’m writing to express my appreciation for the unanimous votes of the Planning Board and the CRC to approve inclusionary zoning changes that will be sent to the Town Council for a vote.
The bylaw would expand affordable unit requirements to nearly all new proposals for developments with 10 or more units. It will also include provisions developers sought, including allowing off-site units or payment in lieu of units to meet part of the affordability requirement.
Guest columnist Gerry Weiss: Inclusionary zoning changes can work in Amherst
By Gerry Weiss
There are discussions happening in Amherst town government right now that will determine two aspects of future downtown construction; design standards for new buildings and whether inclusionary zoning will be a required feature of those new residential buildings.
I will focus today on inclusionary zoning. The need for a more affordable workforce and low-income housing in Amherst has been well documented. The Planning Department has come up with a proposed bylaw change that would easily make this happen.
The Mass Smart Growth-Smart Energy Toolkit says that inclusionary zoning is an effective tool for communities that want to increase the affordable housing options. Inclusionary zoning uses the marketplace to generate affordable housing without requiring significant expenditures by the municipality. This zoning is designed to stimulate economic development by increasing the range of housing
Sawyer s Landing in Muir Woods heading to Amherst Planning Board bizjournals.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from bizjournals.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
New Catholic center at UMass gets $500K gift
The Newman Center at 472 North Pleasant St. in Amherst, photographed in August. GAZETTE FILE PHOTO
Published: 4/20/2021 2:18:29 PM
AMHERST A $2 million capital campaign underway for the construction of a new Newman Catholic Center, likely to open in spring 2022, is already halfway toward its goal due, in large part, to a gift from an alumnus.
George “Trigger” Burke, who is the honorary chairman of the “Miracles Happen… When Heart Speaks to Heart” campaign, recently made a $500,000 contribution, one of the 52 donors who have pledged a combined $1 million toward the project.
As a result of Burke’s gift, the worship space inside the new building, to be constructed at North Pleasant Street and Thatcher Road, will bear his name.
Guest columnist Steve Bloom: Build, baby, build gazettenet.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from gazettenet.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.