Zoning for office space denied
by JESSICA L. FINCH Associate Editor

The Amherst Town Board on Monday denied the rezoning of 2350 Maple Road from multifamily residential to an office building district.

Benderson Development Co., represented by Sean Hopkins of Hopkins, Garas & Sorgi, PLLC, was seeking the rezoning. The site-plan proposal was for a one-story, 22-foot tall office building on the 2.3-acre plot.

The Planning Board had recommended denial of the project.

"We had reached out and dealt with adjoining properties, and in the end, residents showed up and supported the project," Hopkins said.

Board Member Dan Ward had questioned the quality of the soil for building at the location. Also, members of the board did not see the need for a business zoning in that residential area of Maple Road.

"The Planning Board approves just about everything; this must be pretty bad," Ward said about the project.

Hopkins said significant revisions had been made to the site plan related to questions by the Planning Board. He added that it is an excellent project that would fit better on the space than a large, multiunit housing development, which is allowed in the current MFR-7 zoning.

In other zoning matters, the Town Board tabled a request for rezoning 105 Meyer Road from general business to multifamily residential 4A. Community Services for the Developmentally Disabled is requesting the rezoning to build a six-unit apartment complex for disabled adults.

Several residents from Meyer Road spoke against the project, saying the road was overcrowded, there are not sidewalks and it would be an overall unsafe location for the residents.

After closing the public hearing, the board voted to table the resolution until the Aug. 21 meeting when a vote will be taken to either approve or deny the measure.

The Planning Board also recommended denying that rezoning.

All requests that are approved return to the Planning Board for site-plan approval.

In other zoning matters, several parcels on Millersport Highway will be discussed during the Town Board meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 5.