Comprehensive Plan closer to approval
by JESSICA L. FINCH Associate Editor

What has been considered the blueprint for future development in the Town of Amherst has finally been approved for adoption.

In a resolution sponsored by Council Member Dan Ward, the two-year-old Comprehensive Plan was adopted during Monday's board meeting in a 7-0 vote.

Ward read in his resolution, "In order to promote and protect the health, safety and welfare of its citizens, and finally justify the expenditure of so much money on such a master plan," as the reason for moving forward with the adoption.

Before the plan can be officially adopted, the board must follow a schedule of steps, Planning Director Rick Gillert informed the board. The board will be presented with the schedule at the next board meeting.

Once the Comprehensive Plan is officially in the town record it will be used as a guide for long-range development. Acting as a blueprint, the plan maps out the best approach for development in all sections of town, leading to discussions when a site plan is submitted.

The plan was accepted in 2004 but was not officially adopted for use. The first draft of the "Town of Amherst Bicentennial Comprehensive Plan" was submitted in 2002.

"This is a most wonderful thing," Mohan said about the move to adopt. "I had it on the agenda to present it in October, but Council Member Ward presented, and I was glad about that."

He added that the purpose of adopting the document is to now have a master plan for all development to follow so that conflicting issues will slowly vanish.

The vote came just hours after the work session where a committee established through the Amherst Chamber of Commerce presented its recommendation to "Address controversies regarding economic development and qualify of life issues." Chaired by David Flynn, a partner at Phillips Lytle LLP, the committee began its review in May, including input from residents.

"We focused on several issue areas," he said. "The Comprehensive Plan is the key component to moving forward."

In the committees' 15 recommendations are suggestions for balancing economic growth and quality of life in Amherst. Included are:

+ The creation of a sinking home restoration fund, to include grant and private funding to be used to aid those with foundation problems.

 Encourage more use of Planned Residential Districts to address the formation of developments and layout of the town.

 There should be no imposition of a moratorium on development. Colleen DiPirro, president of the Chamber of Commerce, said a moratorium would affect residents, including the construction of pools and garages. It would also affect state aid and could have compromised the expansion at Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital. DiPirro suggests the adoption of a good, solid development plan instead of a moratorium.

 Implement the immediate development of a storm water management program to address flooding problems. This is in response to several areas that experience

persistent flooding throughout the summer. Many residents have reported thousands of dollars of damage to their homes.

The additional recommendations further address how to handle development in the town and are available for review at www. amherst. org.

DiPirro said the committee used the ideas of more than 200 people - from both large and small businesses, other committees and residents.

"There are dozens more recommendations highlighted in the (Comprehensive) Plan but we believe creating a collaborative process and taking action on these items is a first good start in finding the right balance of economic development and quality of life in our town," Flynn said.

In other matters:

 The Town Board approved the lease agreement between the town and People Inc. to use the former Mennonite meeting house at North Forest Road and Main Street as the new location for the Museum of disABILITY History.

 The board recognized the retirements of Albert Hummer, Robert McKenzie, William Mohr, Michael Boehm, Mark Probst and William Fecher.

 The 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. school day parking restriction on San Dominico Court at the cul-de-sac turnaround will be removed.

 The town will move forward on installing a missing sidewalk near Maplemere Elementary School. The absence of the walk has been considered a hazard for students walking to school.