Amherst Committee Reviews Solar Bylaw Amid Staff Departures and Environmental Concerns

Overview: The Amherst Community Resources Committee convened on August 13, 2024, to address issues surrounding the proposed solar bylaw, battery storage regulations, and environmental considerations, amidst the impending retirement of a key staff member.

Amherst Contemplates Future of University Drive with Mixed-Use Overlay Proposal

Overview: In a recent meeting, the Amherst Community Resources Committee delved into a series of discussions surrounding the proposed mixed-use overlay district along University Drive, which has become the focal point of a broader debate on the area’s development strategy. The mixed-use overlay is intended to introduce high-density residential and commercial spaces to the corridor, with buildings potentially reaching up to six floors. The committee also examined the implications of new state-level solar permitting laws, the development of downtown design guidelines, and the intricacies of a form-based zoning approach.

Amherst Committee Tackles Solar Bylaw, Candidate Pool Sufficiency

Overview: The Amherst Community Resources Committee recently engaged in an extensive and discussion surrounding the draft of a new solar bylaw and the sufficiency of the candidate pool for planning board appointments. The meeting, which was conducted remotely, highlighted the committee’s efforts to refine the solar bylaw, addressing the complexities of applicability, Nexus statements, and public comments on the preservation of farmland and forest land. Additionally, the committee wrestled with the challenge of ensuring a robust pool of candidates for upcoming planning board vacancies.

Amherst Committee Tackles Solar Bylaw Details Amid Planning Board Dynamics

Overview: The Amherst Community Resources Committee recently focused on refining the solar bylaw. The discussions revolved around whether certain elements, such as design standards and battery energy storage systems, should be incorporated within the bylaw or outlined separately in rules and regulations. Additionally, the committee deliberated on the sufficiency of the applicant pool for the planning board and the strategies for enhancing diversity and participation.

Amherst Committee Grapples with Complex Solar Bylaw Development

Overview: The Amherst Community Resources Committee recently engaged in a review of a draft solar bylaw that has been in development for the past 18 months. In a meeting marked by discussion, the committee examined the need for further refinement of the bylaw, which aims to regulate large-scale ground-mounted solar installations while considering environmental impacts and state laws. Concerns were also voiced regarding the bylaw’s potential to deter developers given the and labor-intensive review process, and the necessity of a separate battery storage bylaw was debated.