Important meetings (Linked to Agenda)

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News Flash

Why the town must down-zone

Attorneys can blow idle threats about suing the town all they want, but hired propaganda can't trump the truth. The town HAS a Master Plan and HAS accepted the plan in a resolution that also states that the plan must be used as a "policy guide"  "for future growth and development". The Master Plan clearly states that the property should be zoned for a lower density use.  The  Conceptual Land Use map in the plan says the same. The limits mother nature created for high density development in the floodplain are known and well documented in the Master Plan.   Where are the land speculators and mercenaries, during the growing floods in our neighborhoods?   Where were they 4 years ago during the public meetings concerning this quadrant of Amherst, long before the Wal-mart proposal ?

 Related excerpts from the resolution: Link to Resolution

 Whereas # 8-  "Whereas, a more extensive study and survey of storm water drainage and soil subsidence must take place, in coordination with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Study as part of the Comprehensive Plan;"

 Resolve # 4 - "Resolved that the Town Board hereby directs the Planning Department to evaluate the findings of the Town of Amherst Soil and Structural Stability Study being prepared by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers upon its completion and to recommend to this Town Board appropriate modifications, if any, to the policies and recommendations contained in the accepted Bicentennial Plan and be it further. "

 Resolve # 5 - “Resolved that the Town Board acknowledges the policies and recommendations in the plan as statements of the Towns approach and direction for future growth and development and directs each town department, agency, board and commission to refer to the accepted plan as the towns policy guide for growth and development in the conduct of its decision making, and be it further." 

 Resolve # 7- ”Resolved that the Town Board requests all local, regional, county, state and federal agencies to follow the policies and recommendations articulated in the Town of Amherst Bicentennial Comprehensive Master Plan that effects the Town of Amherst..."

The town is only doing what it MUST do to protect its residents. Down-zoning this and other properties will reduce flood runoff risk

 Also Stated in the plan: in Chapter 7 Link to Chapter 7

 Pages 115-116

 Objectives:

 Establish a town-wide program with plans and policies to effectively manage stormwater runoff, including flooding and stormwater quality

  • Maintain and upgrade existing sanitary sewer infrastructure to support existing and projected needs.  Limit future service extensions to those needed to serve development areas designated on the conceptual use plan.
  • Policies. -

      • A.     "Existing stormwater policies should be reviewed and their findings incorporated into the new plan where appropriate."

        7-1- Develop a program to address flooding and other stormwater management issue in coordination with other responsible agencies.

        The town should implement flood mitigation measures as recommended in the recently completed Town Flood Mitigation Plan Report and the Ransom Creek Improvement Study......."

        7-2 Implement "low impact development" standards and techniques designed to reduce the quantity and improve the quality of stormwater runoff from development".

        7-3 "Give priority to repairs to existing infrastructure systems, rather than extensions to serve new greenfield development..."

     

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