Sprawl is taking over Amherst

I have lived in the Amherst area for only three years, but have seen some of the most drastic changes in terms of sprawl I have ever seen in my life. When I first began law school here three years ago, I was amazed at the convenience the various strip malls and shopping centers offered anyone who was willing to travel a three-mile radius from their residence in Amherst.

However, as time passed, I began to become overwhelmed with the number of choices. Honestly, how many bar/restaurant cookie-cutter franchises does Amherst need? It is impossible to turn your head in Amherst without seeing a franchise store that was not there a few months prior.

While many residences of the surrounding area may see this as economic progress, I see it as environmental torment. How long until the Amherst/Williamsville area becomes too commercial and crowded for residents to enjoy the once peaceful relief the area's natural habitats once offered? Where to then?

As a concerned resident, I am writing because I am interested to know what types of zoning laws are in place to prevent this "commercialization" that has done so much damage in the past three years from reaching a point of no return. What local organizations are trying to prevent the sprawl of the sprawl and how can a concerned citizen help?

Mark C. Smith North Forest Road

Williamsville