Amherst Committee Deliberates Solar Bylaw Revisions Amid Concerns Over Clarity and Redundancy

Overview: In a virtual meeting on November 12, 2024, the Amherst Community Resources Committee focused on the intricacies of revising the town’s solar bylaw, discussing its purpose, submission requirements, and the potential overregulation of solar projects. The committee is working to balance community values with Massachusetts’s climate goals, while ensuring regulations remain straightforward and non-redundant.

Amherst Community Resources Committee Postpones Solar Bylaw Decision Amidst Concerns Over Glare and Definitions

Overview: In a recent meeting, the Amherst Community Resources Committee focused on refining a draft solar bylaw that remains a work in progress. Key discussions centered on how to address concerns about glare from solar installations and the integration of community values into the bylaw’s language. While the proposed amendments were debated, the committee opted to table the decision to allow for further review and discussion, particularly as state legislation could impact local regulations.

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.